James Murphy
A PACKED crowd will be hoped for tomorrow night when the Mount Gambier Pioneers men and women hit the court at the Icehouse to open the 2022 NBL1 South basketball season.
The Pioneers launched their season with formalities at the Cave Gardens on Tuesday, where those in attendance were able to meet the teams and hear from coaches and sponsors prior to the competition’s tip off.
It appears the men’s team will be around the mark again with a solid core group, along with some junior talent which could be on display this week.
Head men’s coach Richard Hill said the side will be slightly understaffed this round but remains confident in his roster.
Toby de Wit is out injured, while star recruit Nick Marshall will miss the season opener due to commitments with the Adelaide 36ers.
“We really have six senior players, plus the kids this week,” Hill said.
“We are in good shape and we have been playing great, but the numbers are a bit light on.”
While the core group has been sturdy throughout pre-season trials, there has been some shuffling of the squad’s international talent.
The decision was made by the club to part ways with import Mark St. Fort due to conflicting ideals, which has since opened an opportunity for Jordan Rawls.
Rawls showed great commitment to his craft when he paid his own way to Australia and set up in Adelaide, before finding the recent opportunity in Mount Gambier with the Pioneers.
Hill said he is a solid player and does everything the right way, with improvement shown every time he hits the court.
He will join the familiar faces of the likes of captain Tom Daly, Kane de Wit, Erik Burdon and Tom Kubank, along with recruit Michael Harris in what shapes up to be another competitive team.
Up against the Diamond Valley Eagles in Round 1, Hill said both sides will be without some personnel tomorrow in what looms as a close contest.
“They have two high-level NBL guys to come into their group which will make them one of the better teams,” he said.
“We are down a few and they are down a few.
“It should be a pretty even contest.”
Hill looks forward to opening the season in front of a home crowd, with high hopes for the year ahead.
“We will have eight pretty high level players,” he said.
“Our best eight will be as good as most other team’s best eight.
“We are pretty excited for what the season holds for us.”
Tomorrow’s game will tip off at 8.30pm following the women’s clash.
