By Lachlan Onions
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers women’s team is aiming for its third straight win on Saturday night when its hosts the Knox Raiders at Wulanda.
Mount Gambier has been in impressive form this season and has won seven of its 10 games to hold third place on the NBL1 South ladder.
Their opponents have also been solid with seven wins from 12 games.
For Pioneers fans who are headed to the game, Miela Goodchild will be a player to watch as she has been in stunning form in her first season in Mount Gambier.
Goodchild has asserted herself as a potential conference MVP candidate and is currently second in the competition for points per game with 27.5.
While she can score points efficiently from all three levels, her impact is not limited to offense as she also averages more than nine rebounds per game and has racked up four double-doubles this season.
This game will likely be won and lost in the paint as the Raiders’ Alicia Froling has been in exceptional form this season and will be a key player for the visitors.
Froling averages a double-double every game with 26.33 points and 10.83 rebounds in what has been an already superb campaign.
The Knox forward has scored more than 30 points on four occasions this season and will need to be kept quiet if the Pioneers are to come away with the win.
Depending on the status of star import Cassandra Brown’s injury, Haliegh Reinoehl and Keryl Ousey may have the task of guarding Froling if the Pioneers captain does not play.
Reinoehl has been a key payer at the four and five positions this season for Mount Gambier and averages more than 15 points and seven rebounds per game.
The 25-year-old has recorded back-to-back double-doubles and was at her best two weeks ago when she scored 25 points against the dominant Waverley Falcons.
Sherrie Calleia and Isabella Brancatisano will also be key players for the Pioneers and their ability to score from beyond the arc will be crucial for the hosts on Saturday night when play tips off at 6pm.