Pioneers to return to the court

BACK IN ACTION: The Mount Gambier Pioneers will head across the border this weekend in a return to NBL1 action.

By Trevor Jackson

MOUNT Gambier’s Pioneers basketball men and women are set to return to the court this weekend, with an NBL1 double-header road trip to Victoria.

The Pioneers will face the Kilsyth Cobras on Saturday night, before backing up against the Nunawading Spectres on Sunday.

It comes after an extended break due to the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to cause chaos among various sporting codes around the nation.

The last time the Pioneers hit the floor was back in May, with a double-header road trip to the Apple Isle to take on Hobart, Launceston and NW Tasmania.

At this stage it appears clear regarding coronavirus restrictions, despite some cases in South Australia.

The South Australian government did not enforce a lockdown this week, while Victoria has enjoyed a relaxed period with no new cases.

As it stands the ladders are a bit disjointed, but the men sit in fifth position, above the Spectres (seventh) and the Cobras (ninth).

Both the Pioneers and the Spectres have played nine games, while the Cobras have played eight.

For the women, the Spectres and the Cobras sit in seventh and eighth positions respectively, while the Pioneers are down in 15th.

The Pioneers had certainly shown some good form leading up to the lockdown and would be keen to return to the floor.

Saturday’s games tip off at 6pm AEST, with the men to follow at 8pm, while Sunday’s games start at 12.30pm and 2.30pm respectively.