By Lachlan Onions
AFTER a difficult month of NBL1 South basketball, the Pioneers men will look to return to their early-season form which saw them win their first six games when they host the Kilsyth Cobras on Friday night.
The Pioneers are winless in their last five games but will have the chance to set the record straight when they take on the Cobras.
Kilsyth has won five of its 12 games this season, while the Pioneers have won six from 11.
The Pioneers will be hopeful one of either Nick Marshall or Jacob Lampkin can return from their injuries for what is a vital clash.
Between the pair, they average close to 50 points and 20 rebounds per game.
Their absence was felt in the Pioneers’ last clash with Knox as Mount Gambier struggled to match their opponents on the offensive end.
Mount Gambier will need captain Kane de Wit to put in a similar performance on the offensive end as he did last week when he posted a season-high 16 points.
Will Mayfield and Dylan Marshall will also be key players in a game which every Pioneer will need to make an impact if they are to come away with a victory.
Dylan Marshall has had an increased work-load in recent weeks due to the depleted squad the Pioneers have had.
In his last three games, he has scored 36 points and has been on the court for 70 minutes.
Mayfield has been promoted to the starting line-up over the last month and will look to return to his early season form where he was averaging upwards of 15 points per game.
Looking at the opposition, Adrian Tomada will be a player which the Pioneers will need to lockdown.
The 28-year-old averages 19 points per game and has been one of the more consistent contributors for the Cobras.
He will likely be guarded by either de Wit or Austin Shelley, who have been the starting guards for the Pioneers over the last month.
Another guard which will be a potential threat to the Pioneers is Jamie Ahale.
Ahale averages six rebounds and 19.33 points per game and has recorded two double-doubles this campaign.
Action will get underway at 8pm at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre in what will be a massive clash for the Pioneers as they look to rebound from a difficult run.