By Trevor Jackson
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers will have just one game to play in this week’s NBL1 South competition, after two double-headers to open the season.
Round 3 sees the Pioneers host North West Tasmania Thunder at Wulanda on Friday night and they should be hot favourite to claim another victory.
The Thunder won its opening-round clash against the Hobart Chargers, then lost a double-header in Round 2 to the Waverley Falcons and the Dandenong Rangers.
In contrast, Mount Gambier won the two Round 1 matches against the Sandringham Sabres and the Falcons, then went to Round 2 and defeated the Frankston Blues, before going down to the Ballarat Miners in a tough double-header.
That gives the Pioneers a 3/1 win/loss record and fifth place on the ladder, compared to 1/2 for the Thunder.
It is too early to suggest ladder positions make much of a difference at this stage of the season, but the Pioneers should certainly take care of business on their home court.
