By Trevor Jackson
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers women continue to defy the odds, with another two victories in Round 7 of NBL1 South basketball on the weekend.
The side has lost just one game for the season to sit proud at the top of the ladder, clear of the Ringwood Hawks, the Bendigo Braves, Geelong Supercats and Nunawading Spectres.
The women showed their strength on Saturday night against the Frankston Blues, with a dominant four quarters of basketball, which provided an 81-65 victory.
The Pioneers pulled six points clear in the opening stanza and built on their lead from there.
By the final whistle Cassandra Brown had racked up the impressive figures of 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Hannah Young also chalked up a double-double, with 12 points and 10 rebounds, all of those at the defensive end of the floor.
Sherrie Calleia also reached double figures with 14 points, while Haliegh Reinoehl added 11.
Sunday threw up more of a challenge against the Spectres but the Pioneers were still able to hold on down the stretch to record a hard-fought 67-61 victory.
The Pioneers lost the first term by three points but from there began to close the margin and by the long break held a tentative one-point advantage.
By the final break the margin had crept out to three points and the intensity lifted.
The Spectres soon took the lead on the back of successive three-point baskets to Emma Pearce, before Reinoehl stepped up with a three-point bomb of her own to again level the scores.
The Spectes remained in front until Calleia drained a three with five minutes on the clock.
Reinoehl then added a two and the Pioneers remained in front from there.
Brown added her second double-double of the weekend, this time with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
But it was Reinoehl who topped the list with 16 points.
Jasmin Howe (11), Calleia (11) and Shakera Reilly (10) all added double-figure scores the final tally.
Coach Matt Sutton was clearly pleased with the weekend, especially the performance of a couple of players in the opening game.
“We feel good with those results and we are happy with not playing perfect basketball but good enough to get the win,” he said.
“Against Frankston Cassandra was good.
“She found a really good rhythm and was able to work to create some open shots which was pleasing.
“It was a big part of our success and her rebounding was outstanding.
“Hannah is having a really good season.
“She is our leading rebounder and will have some big offensive games because she is very talented.”
The Nunawading game was a different scenario, with a tight contest throughout.
However, Sutton said it was all about timing and gutting it out right to the end.
“It hit a point where we made the right run and the right plays when it counted and got some separation, which put them under pressure,” he said.
“It wasn’t perfect basketball and there were some things we can improve on but their effort and commitment was solid all the way through, which helped us get the win.”
Sutton noted Reinoehl’s effort, which was a pivotal factor in the two victories, after a tough period for the American.
“I was really pleased for Haliegh,” he said.
“It was tough for her when she broke her hand but she came back in good form and her performance was crucial for us getting the win.
“She is such a team-oriented person and it was really fortunate she got it going because it was a big reason for us winning.”
Sutton said the Spectres are the form team of the competition but the belief his players have helped to overcome the strong opponent.
“The girls’ effort and care to support each other has been crucial,” he said.
“The way the girls play you always feel confident they will make the right decisions.
“I think they really care about each other, they are letting themselves get coached and it is all clicking at the moment.”
As with the Pioneers men, the women have certainly put a target on their heads, with a 9/1 win/loss record which equates to a tough second half of the season.
However, Sutton said at the start of the season he would not have thought the side would be performing so well but feels it comes by no mistake.
“I am just really proud of the effort and commitment of the girls,” he said.
“They have been really committed and I can see why we are the position we are.
“But going into game one of the season I would have been pinching myself if you said we would be where we are at this point.”
The women can enjoy a week off now with a competition-wide bye but will then face a tough opponent in Kilsyth back at the Icehouse.
“Once we start preparing for Kilsyth we will have to be at our best,” Sutton said.
“We have put ourselves in a good position but every game is a tough game.
“It is a tough league, then you add in the pandemic and it keeps you on your toes.
“We are doing the best we can and so far it is going pretty good.”
