James Murphy
WITH the close of the 2024 NBL1 South basketball competition, the league acknowledged the top performers of the season at its annual awards ceremony.
Mount Gambier did not miss out on the accolades, with the Pioneers taking home some of the most prestigious awards on offer.
Nick Marshall topped the men’s individual prize, taking out the Most Valuable Player medal for 2024.
It was an impressive feat for the star, capping off a strong season in his third year at Mount Gambier.
Marshall also secured the men’s leading scorer award, while he was joined by fellow Pioneer Akech Aliir in the All Star Five, with Aliir having a breakout debut season with the Pioneers.
They were joined by Sandringham’s Tanner Krebs, Ballarat’s Tyler Rudolph and Frankston’s Daniel Trist in the five – an impressive achievement given the high standard of talent in the competition.
Other sought after awards were the men’s and women’s Coach of the Year awards.
Mount Gambier’s own Richard Hill claimed the men’s prize after another strong year at the helm of the Pioneers.
The women’s accolade went to Keilor’s Kristi Harrower, while the women’s MVP also came from the Thunder as Isabelle Bourne topped the competition.
Pioneer Zitina Aokuso was named as a finalist for the MVP award, while Mount Gambier women’s head coach Matt Sutton was a finalist in the Coach of the Year race.
Other local finalists included Austin Shelley, who was in consideration for the men’s best youth player, which ultimately went to Ballarat’s Austin Rapp, while women’s captain Isabella Brancatisano was a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year.
The women’s All Star Five included Bendigo’s Amy Atwell, Ballarat’s Chloe Bibby, Bourne, Knox’s Alicia Froling and Frankston’s Stephanie Reid.
Also on a local front, Mount Gambier Pioneers Club president Tom Kosch was recognised for his work off the court with the Executive of the Year Award.
Both the men’s and women’s Pioneers missed out on the grand finals, being knocked out in the semi final and preliminary final respectively.
However, the two teams who dealt the final blows to Mount Gambier went on to win both championships, showing the Pioneers were not far off the mark again this campaign.
Waverley Falcons defeated Keilor Thunder 87-82 in the women’s decider, while the men’s title was won by Eltham Wildcats over Ballarat Miners 79/70.
