Strong finish to season for Pioneers

The OneFortyOne Mount Gambier Pioneers women did what they had to do last weekend – defeating the Ringwood Hawks and sneaking back into the top four at the expense of Ballarat.

In the final home game for the 2024 regular NBL1 South season, the Pioneers were facing a Hawks line-up on a six game losing streak.

Early on, the Hawks threw caution to the wind, matching it with the play-off bound Pioneers and at one stage enjoyed a seven point lead but in the end, the Pioneers rallied, turning a seven point half time lead into an 18 point three quarter time advantage before running out 25 point victors.

The victory improved the girls to a 14-8 record having completed their regular season with Haliegh Reinoehl delivering another 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Samantha Fatkin added another 20 points and nine rebounds with 6/11 from downtown while Zitina Aokuso ended up with 15 points, 12 boards and seven assists, Isa Brancatisano 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Sherria Calleia 11 points, nine boards and six assists.

The Castec Rural Supplies Mount Gambier Pioneers men put an exclamation point on their regular season with a dominant 42 point victory over Ringwood.

Nick Marshall was back and Akech Aliir continued his hot form to keep the Pioneers in top spot with the 117-75 home win against the Hawks – the loss making it 12 in a row for the hapless Ringwood line-up.

The home side was looking to rebound from a shock loss to the Melbourne Tigers in their previous outing and unsurprisingly they started on fire with a 28-12 opening stanza.

That lead for the Pioneers continued to grow on their home floor as they secured the regular season championship – it was 28 at the main break, 38 going into the last and after reaching a game high 47 point lead, the home side settled for a 42 point domination.

The win ensured the Pioneers remained on top of the ladder with a 17-5 record to close the regular season with Aliir continuing his hot form with 29 points, 19 rebounds and four assists on 11/16 shooting from the floor and 4/6 from downtown.

Nick Marshall’s return saw him contribute 22 points, five rebounds and five assists with Austin Shelley contributing 18 points and four assists, Titus Robinson 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks, and Christian Peevy 13 points and six boards.

RESULTS

Mount Gambier Pioneers 93 (Reinoehl 22, Fatkin 20, Aokuso 15) d Ringwood Hawks 68 (Hollingsworth 22, Strautmane 14, Vitale 13); Mount Gambier Pioneers 117 (Aliir 29, N Marshall 22, Shelley 18) d Ringwood Hawks 75 (Lawton 22, Bridges 18, Roberts 12)