By Trevor Jackson
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers men have worked their way up to second position on the NBL1 South ladder as the season fast draws to a close.
A double-header road trip to the Apple Isle faces the side this weekend, with a clash against the Hobart Chargers tonight (Friday), before backing up on Saturday for a hitout with North West Tasmania.
While it has been a tough season for the Pioneers, they have worked hard to ensure every chance of a home final and with seven wins on the trot, are certainly in impressive form.
The Pioneers come off two good wins at the Wulanda Recreation Centre last weekend, with Nick Marshall in ominous form.
Against Bendigo Marshall returned 18 points and six rebounds, while against Dandenong he stepped it up a notch with 21 and seven.
Jacob Lampkin was also in fine touch, with 12 points and nine rebounds against both Bendigo and Dandenong.
Tom Kubank lit it up against Bendigo, with 17 points and 12 rebounds for a nice double-double, while the younger Marshall, Dylan, finished with double-figure scores on both nights.
It again showed the versatility and sharing mentality of the Pioneers.
The Chargers sit down in 11th position on the ladder, but come off a win over the four-placed Sandringham Sabres.
Devan Watson was dominant around the basket, with 38 points, while Sam McDaniel contributed 27.
they also comfortably accounted for Casey, this time with Jacob Richards topping the list with 26 points.
It certainly places little importance on positions on the ladder, with the Pioneers needing to be on their game to come away with the win.
North West Tasmania come off losses to Diamond Valley and Knox, so will want to improve on their home court.
With just one more round remaining – another double-header road trip against top-10 sides Waverley and Eltham – there is little room for complacency, with the Pioneers under a real test over the coming two weeks.
