Trevor Jackson
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers women were first to step onto the new court at the Wulanda convention Centre on Friday night and made sure the opening NBL1 South clash was a memorable one.
A comfortable victory over Casey Cavaliers resulted, with all-but one quarter accounted for easily.
The Cavaliers came out hard in the opening term, but the Pioneers still managed to claim the quarter five five points to lay the foundations of victory.
From there it was a more-dominant display, although the visitors refused to go away and kept the pressure on.
However, with six players finishing in double figures, Mount Gambier was always going to be a tough prospect for the Cavaliers and it showed in the end with a 105-70 scoreline.
Topping the scoresheets were Cassandra Brown and Isabella Brancatisano with 23 points each.
Miela Goodchild chipped in with 17 points, Haliegh Reinoehl 12, Sherriee Calleia 13 and Imogen Rock 11.
Around the boards Rock and Brown pulled down nine rebounds each.
The Pioneers then headed across the border to face the Frankston Blues on Sunday.
For three quarters the Blues stuck with the Pioneers, but the opening term had them playing catch-up basketball.
The Pioneers came out and blasted their way to 27 points, holding the home side to just 12.
Then it was a matter of holding onto the lead and they did just that, extending it lightly each quarter.
In the end it was an 82-59 victory to the Pioneers and top spot on the ladder, ahead of the also-undefeated Bendigo Braves.
Brown again topped the scoresheets, this time with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Goodchild contributed 23, Reinoehl 13, Brancatisano 12 and Rock 10.
