The Mount Gambier Pioneers have hit the ground running in the NBL1 off-season, confirming the commitment of talented young guard Johanna Jones for the 2022 NBL1 South season.
Head Coach Matt Sutton is excited to have Jones' commitment, with the club's recruiting drive in full swing.
"I am really pleased to be able to continue to work with Johanna Jones, she is an incredible talent with a lot of potential," Sutton said.
"Joey moved from Victoria and is attending school in our community Mount Gambier joined the Pioneers in 2021 as she moved across the border to Mount Gambier after playing with the Warrnambool mermaids in Big V competition.
"The COVID situation was really tough for Joey over the past season.
"Given her family is across the border, she showed a lot of maturity dealing with that for a young person.
"Joey has been on the court working on different areas of her game and is starting to really understand and buy into the work it takes to compete at this level."
In the club's first NBL1 South season the Pioneers posted three wins, although the progress that the squad was making prior to the cancellation of the season was impressive.
The club’s recruiting drive is in full swing, hoping to add size and depth to the core group of players from the 2021 season.
Developing young up-and-coming athletes who are committed to playing at higher levels of competition is and will remain key for the Pioneers.
"Having a young talent in Joey commit to our women’s program in the early days is crucial for our basketball club," President Tom Kosch said.
"Offering the pathway for development for aspirational young basketball players is exactly what our club and the NBL1 competition provides.
"We look forward to offering this opportunity to more and more young players in the future."
The Pioneers will make announcements about returning players and new signings for the 2022 season in the coming weeks.
