Trevor Jackson
RECENTLY on the scene and with little history to draw on, the Mount Gambier Pioneers women made a splash in the 2022 NBL1 South basketball competition.
Formed just a few short years ago under the tutelage of former Pioneers men’s captain Matt Sutton, the women went about creating their own history with a blistering season that fell short on ultimate success by just a handful of games.
The Pioneers finished in third place after racking up a 15/7 win/loss record.
They sat near the pointy end of the ladder throughout the season, with every chance to go all the way in what has become a tough women’s competition.
Many NBL players grace the courts and there are no easy games, which showed the desire of the Pioneers to taste success.
Several returning players were joined by a couple of imports and some young guns keen on tasting competition at a high level.
Back were the likes of locals Jasmin Howe, Maddie Wormald and Olivia Wormald, joined by former Pioneers Shakera Reilly, Sherrie Calleia and Hannah Young.
Canadian Cassandra Brown and American Haliegh Reinoehl were valuable inclusions and the team gelled from the outset.
The firepower was evident, as Brown’s driving style returned an average of 19.42 points per game, along with 7.71 rebounds.
Calleia’s energetic style produced 15.36 points per game, Young 11.96, Reinoehl 11.05 and Howe 10.08.
Young topped the rebounds with eight per game, while Calleia handed off the most assists, with 4.95.
Overall it was an impressive season, as the Pioneers reached the finals but fell short of the ultimate success.
