By Lachlan Onions
THE Mount Gambier Pioneers men’s team will be eager to end their minor form slump when they take on the Sandringham Sabres on Friday night.
After winning their first six games of the season, the Pioneers have lost their last three but will be boosted by the fact they claimed a blowout 30-point win against the Sabres back in Round 1.
However, since their Round 1 clash, the Pioneers have been hampered by an injury to their star import Jacob Lampkin, while the Sabres have bolstered their line-up.
Sandringham has been in impressive form lately and this clash between two sides vying for the top four is one not to be missed.
Mount Gambier heads into this clash in fourth with six wins from nine games, while the Sabres are sixth with six wins from 10.
For the Pioneers, Nick Marshall has led the way and averages 23.56 points per game.
Marshall will look to replicate his display he put in against Geelong when he scored an impressive 37 points.
An interesting battle will take place on the floor between him and Ben Ayre, who has been a key player for the Sabres over the last month.
Ayre missed the opening round clash against Mount Gambier but has averaged 23.38 points per game in his eight appearances.
In the paint, there will be a new-look battle take place between two players who did not feature back in Round 1.
Leonard Harper-Baker is a recent addition to the Pioneers line-up as an injury-replacement signing for Jacob Lampkin and he will face-off against the league’s leading rebounder Dane Pineau.
Pineau averages 13.25 points and a huge 13 rebounds per game with five double-doubles this season.
He was at his best against Eltham when he grabbed 19 rebounds and scored 22 points and Harper-Baker will have to be at his absolute best to limit this threat.
Dylan Marshall and Will Mayfield will also be pivotal for Mount Gambier’s rotation and will look to make an impact from the bench.
Marshall scored 13 points last time out, while Mayfield has scored more than 10 points in all but one game so far.