By Lachlan Onions
AFTER a difficult run of form over the last few weeks, the Mount Gambier Pioneers will look to set the record straight when they host the in-form Knox Raiders on Saturday night in a clash not to be missed.
The Pioneers started the year in unrivalled form as they won their first six games of the season.
However, injuries and a difficult run of fixtures has seen Mount Gambier fall to seventh place on the ladder thanks to four consecutive losses.
Despite the difficult run, it is not all doom and gloom for Richard Hill’s side as the squad – spearheaded by Nick Marshall – is one of the most competitive in the conference.
Vice-captain Nick Marshall continues to reach new heights every game and was a shining light in the Pioneers’ loss last week as he went to work with 33 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in a stunning display.
The versatile swingman averages 24.5 points per game – the fourth-best in the competition and is only getting better as the season progresses.
In recent weeks, he has been supported by his up and coming younger brother Dylan, who has been a very handy player off the bench this season.
In the last two games Dylan Marshall has accrued 28 points form the bench and played a season-high 27 minutes last time out.
The key matchups in this game will involve the Pioneers’ Julian Pesava and Leonard Harper-Baker and the Raiders’ Deng Acouth and Wayne Stewart Jr.
Acouth leads the conference for blocks per game with 2.42 per outing.
As a result, scoring in the paint will be challenge when he is on the floor.
Acouth is also a handy scorer and averages a solid 12.58 points per game.
As for Stewart Jr, he has been a key player in the forward positions and averages 21.5 points and 8.33 boards per game.
The pressure will be on Pesava and Harper-Baker to limit the impact of these two threats on both ends of the floor.
This clash will be one which would be expected to go down to the wire and a winner is anyone’s pick.
