By Trevor Jackson
FANS at the Wulanda Recreation Centre were treated to an entertaining game of basketball on Friday night when the Pioneers women defeated the Diamond Valley Eagles, with an 82-75 scoreline.
There was little in the contest throughout, with the Pioneers winning the first quarter by just three points to set the scene.
The second quarter played out in similar fashion, with the Pioneers again ahead, this time by four points.
That provided the winning margin of seven points at the main break, with neither side able to make a decisive break.
The Eagles then hit back in the third quarter, with a 23-20 score favouring the visitors and closing the margin slightly.
With little in the contest, the game was set for an exciting finish and it did not disappoint.
With little in the contest, the Pioneers stood tall on their home deck to win the final term by just three points and wrap the game up by seven.
Miela Goodchild enjoyed another strong game, with a game-high 24 points, continuing her impressive season at the top of the NBL1 South scoring list, in a tight battle with Frankston’s Chloe Bibby.
Pioneers captain Cassandra Brown led by example, with 14 points and four rebounds, while Isabella Brancatisano contributed 14 points and six rebounds.
Haliegh Reinoehl rounded out the double-figure scorers with 13 points and a strong nine rebounds.
Coach Matt Sutton was clearly pleased with the result against such a tough side.
“They are a very good team and have just added a new player and import who is very good,” he said.
“They will be very tough down the stretch, so we are very happy to get that one.
“They certainly tested us.”
While the Pioneers were good enough to remain in front when it mattered, Sutton said there were some parts of the game where a lack of focus threatened to derail the game.
“We had some lapses in focus and getting on top of Diamond Valley,” he said.
“We had a poor start to the second half but we brought that back with better attention to detail on defence.
“We couldn’t quite get the flow we wanted offensively, but we strung enough scores together in patches to create a lead we could hold onto.
“To the girls’ credit they played hard and did enough at the right time to get the lead at the end.”
Goodchild has received plenty of accolades this season and recently signed up for Perth in the WNBL.
Sutton said that was great for her future and well deserved.
“ She has been a great pickup for us and a quality person who has added a lot on both ends to our group,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing her continue to grow.
“She just has the ability to score the ball and does a good job on defence.”
Likewise Sutton said it was good to have Brown back on the floor healthy and in the swing of it, while Brancatisano is another new player he is pleased with.
“We are delighted with Isabella,” he said.
“She is a classic no-fuss player who accepts big roles.
“She has been a real constant for us at both ends and is just a fantastic person who has natural leadership qualities.
“We are very happy with the way she is playing for us.”
A lot of questions still remain around the inclusion of Zitina Aokuso.
She suited up on the weekend but is still to take to the floor in a game scenario.
Sutton said the club had put everything in place to see her on the court for playoffs, including medical exemptions.
“She is coming back from surgery on a broken foot and every week we are getting closer, but not 100 per cent sure when she will hit the court,” he said.
“She suited up on the weekend so we will continue to do that.”
Overall Sutton said his side was in a “really good place” as the playoffs fast approach.
“We went through a period where we had three broken bones and had Miela away with international duties,” he said.
“We withstood a pretty tough period and we are in a good position on the ladder.
“We still have heaps of room for growth and I don’t think we are playing at our best.
“We have been tested in ways we need to learn from, but the season will be over real quick.
“We have a lot of doubles coming up so we will have to be at our best going forward.”
