Pioneers captain makes history

CASTEC Rural Supplies Mount Gambier Men’s captain Kane de Wit (pictured) made history at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre on Friday night becoming the first homegrown player to reach the 200 game milestone.

The men entered their first home clash of the season on the back of two comprehensive road victories – the Cavaliers also entering the clash with winning form and the match was an arm wrestle from go to whoa.

The home side led by four at the first break; the visitors then worked hard defensively to limit the scoreboard impact of the Pioneers to go into the half time break three points clear.

That lead went out to double-figures in the third quarter for the Cavaliers and they held on in a thriller down the stretch for the one-point victory, spoiling de Wit’s milestone match, to improve to 2-0 on the season having lost 16 of their last 17 games last season.

It’s a first loss of the season for the Pioneers in their home opener with Melbourne United forward Akech Aliir finishing with 21 points and six rebounds with Kaden Archie adding 15 points and six boards, Titus Robinson 11 points and five rebounds, and Alex Mudronja 11 points, four boards and four assists.

The girls might have been back on their home pine but the OneFortyOne Mount Gambier Pioneers Women remain winless after a competitive hit out against Casey Cavaliers.

It was a season opening victory for the Cavaliers – the final score 76-60.

The Pioneers started strongly on their home floor, leading the also winless visitors by seven at the first change but the momentum completely swung in the second as the Cavaliers upped the ante at the defensive end, restricting the Pioneers to only four points, turning that seven point deficit into a six point half time lead.

Casey did have the better of the second half but it was a much more even tussle and the Pioneers certainly showed enough to suggest they can bounce back, secure that first win and go on a run.

Skipper Isabella Brancatisano was back on the floor after her on the road injury the previous weekend and she put up 23 points, seven rebounds and two assists, with Haliegh Reinoehl contributing 15 points and 14 boards, and Chloe Hildebrand seven points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The Pioneers are at home again this weekend for a double header taking on Sandringham on Friday night and Eltham Wildcats on Saturday.

RESULTS:

Casey Cavaliers 76 (Robati 23, Hurst 17, Hippolite 9) d Mount Gambier Pioneers 60 (Brancatisano 23, Reinoehl 15, Hildebrand 7, MacGregor 7)

Casey Cavaliers 81 (Bungei 28, Robertson 19, Hankerson 12) d Mount Gambier Pioneers 80 (Aliir 21, Archie 15, Robinson 11, Mudronja 11)