Marshall shines as Pioneers win double header

Nick Marshall’s sensational start to his 2023 campaign with Mount Gambier Pioneers continued last weekend with victories against Casey Cavaliers and Frankston Blues.

The Pioneers opened their new home court at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre in Mount Gambier with a 97-80 victory over the Cavaliers.

Marshall was everywhere for the home side, scoring 20 points, hauling in eight rebounds and dishing six assists.

The 198cm swingman then added another 24 points to go with five steals, five assists and four rebounds as the Pioneers made it a perfect 2-0 weekend with a 103-94 win against the Blues in Frankston on Sunday.

New Adelaide 36ers signing Jason Cadee also continued to put up huge numbers in the NBL1 North competition.

The 186cm combo guard averaged 27 points per game but his Gold Coast Rollers split a tough double-header against Logan Thunder and Sunshine Coast Phoenix.

A free throw from Cadee gave the Rollers a 97-85 advantage with just over three minutes to go, but the Thunder responded in the crunch time to record a 102-100 victory.

Cadee scored 21 points, dished eight assists and pulled down four rebounds for Gold Coast and then he backed up with 33 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Rollers bounced back with a 100-71 victory against Sunshine Coast Phoenix on home court.

Development player Cameron Thew also had a solid weekend for the Rollers, his 15 points against the Thunder came at 100 per cent shooting, with seven rebounds, while the big man had a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win against the Phoenix.

Kyrin Galloway missed Ipswich Force’s come-from-behind 91-89 win against South West Metro Pirates due to a thumb injury on Sunday afternoon.

Galloway is set to miss the next six rounds after having surgery to repair the ligaments in his right thumb.

In NBL1 Central, Adelaide 36ers captain Mitch McCarron scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished four assists as his West Adelaide Bearcats steamrolled North Adelaide Rockets 112-54 at Lightsview on Saturday night.

A dominant 59-20 opening half setup the Bearcats win, who won every quarter of the contest.