Trevor Jackson
WITH the Mount Gambier Pioneers women having set the tone at the Wulanda Convention Centre on Friday night, it was the men’s turn to provide a success start at their new home.
That was indeed the case, as the men easily accounted for Casey Cavaliers, despite a concerted effort from the visitors in the second half.
A strong first half made it a tough night for the visitors, with the Pioneers out to a 27-19 lead after the opening quarter.
They followed that up with a 26-17 second term and the Cavaliers were right on the back foot.
Just one point separated the two sides in each of the following quarters, with the Cavaliers winning the final quarter by a solitary point.
However, the damage had been done early and the Pioneers celebrated.
That was despite a huge effort from Casey’s Malcolm Bernard, who cut loose for an unmatched 41 points.
For the Pioneers, Jacob Lampkin led the scorers with 22 points, from Nick Marshall with 20.
Julian Pesava contributed 16 points and William Mayfield 15, while Christopher Sealey finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Sunday the men travelled to Frankston to take on the always-tough Blues.
A 103-94 win resulted, but the Pioneers were pushed to the limit.
The home side looked dangerous from the outset, with as much as a 12-point lead in the opening term, as they banged on 27 points to the Pioneers’ 18.
Mount Gambier turned that around quickly, with a strong second term reducing the margin by eight points.
The third quarter was where the game was won and lost, with Frankston unable to match the Pioneers as they put on 32 points to the Blues’ 23, then held on down the stretch for a hard-fought victory.
This time Marshall topped the scoresheets with 24 points, but it was Lampkin who had the Pioneers faithful cheering.
His work around the boards was tireless, finishing the game with 16 points and a huge 15 rebounds.
Austin Shelley chimed in with 15 points and Kane De Wit 13, while Pesava and Mayfield contributed 11 each.
Just like the Pioneers women, the men sit top of the ladder, undefeated so far in 2023.
