WITH the 2020 Basketball Victoria NBL1 season tip-off less than three months away, everything is shaping up well for the Mount Gambier Pioneers women.
The recent recruitment of Sydney Uni Flames star Ally Wilson is complemented by American centre Shelby Cheslek.
Cheslek is no stranger to NBL1 competition, playing last year with the Diamond Valley Eagles alongside Wilson.
She averaged 13 points and eight rebounds per game, shooting at 46pc from the field.
“Shelby’s connection with Ally is a bonus and we expect both girls will play an important role for us this year,” head coach Matt Sutton said.
Cheslek is an Alumni of Gonzaga University where she played 67 games over the 2015-16 season, averaging eight points, eight rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
“We are really lucky to have Shelby join our group,” Sutton said.
“She is a really great person who has basketball experiences all over the world.
“The leadership she will provide on court as well as the experiences she will be able to share with her team mates, coming through the college system in America and now playing internationally, will be invaluable for our local juniors as well as those with aspirations of playing at higher levels.”
Cheslek will join the club in Mount Gambier at the completion of her season with first division Greek club Dafni Agiou Dimitriou in Athens.
The team has also welcomed the continued support from its naming rights sponsor for upcoming NBL1 season.
Pioneers president Tom Kosch said he was pleased with the progression of the women’s program and is glad it has the chance to flourish further with the club’s debut in the NBL1 this season.
“The expansion of our women’s program was outstanding for our community in 2019,” he said.
“To be now able to offer the opportunity to continue the pathway within the NBL1 competition is hugely exciting, not only for our basketball club, but the wider region.”
Basketball Victoria’s NBL1 competition was established last year and is recognised as Australia’s premier women’s and men’s winter competition.
“The club is hugely excited to offer the opportunity for our local women, as well as those who once again see Mount Gambier as an opportunity to continue the pathway of basketball at higher levels,” Kosch said.
“Without the level of support offered by our sponsors the opportunity and pathway for both local and aspiring basketballers would not be available in the area.”
The inaugural NBL1 season saw several Opal’s and WNBL players take to the floor and the Pioneers are expect a high level of competition in 2020.
“It is hugely exciting for our players, coaches as well as those who attend home games to have access to watch and support national and international level players in Mount Gambier,” Kosch said.
The Pioneers are set to start pre-season soon in preparation for season tip-off at home on April 18.
