By Trevor Jackson
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers men have enjoyed an almost-perfect start to the 2024 NBL1 South Season.
They current sit in second spot on the ladder after five outings with four wins and a loss.
This week they should add one more to the winning ledger when they host the Keilor Thunder at Wulanda on Friday night.
The Thunder sits down in 11th place with three wins and three losses, but that does not really count for much in this league.
NW Tasmania, down in 17th place with only one victory, certainly made the Pioneers work hard, so nothing can be taken for granted.
Pioneers coach Richard Hill has continually stated there are no easy games in this competition anymore and so far that has rung true.
This season Akech Aliir has hit the floor running, averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Hill expects him to improve as the season unfolds.
Nick Marshall has given his usual input, with 21.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, along with 4.6 assists.
Austin Shelley has relished his return to the Pioneers roster with a starting position and 14 points per game, while Dylan Marshall has enjoyed a couple of standout games, with an average of 10.4 points.
Import Christian Peevey is yet to find his feet completely and is still returning 10.2 points, while Titus Robinson certainly has more to offer.
Add to that an expected return from Vincent Monaghan and the usual gritty games from Kane deWit and Tom Daly and there is certainly scope for expectation.
It is early days in the season but the writing is on the wall and the Mount Gambier supporters can certainly expect some entertaining contests at Wulanda, including Friday’s clash with Keilor, which should go the way of the hosts.
