AS is the case with every NBL1 competition in Australia at the moment, the South Women’s league held its semi-finals over the weekend, and it was the Mt. Gambier Pioneers that advanced after downing the Ringwood Hawks by two points.

The game took place at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre on Friday night, with a spot in the preliminary final on the line, while the losing side would see their 2023 campaign come to an end. Naturally, the Pioneers entered the game as favourites given their better performance over the fixture and home court advantage. However, the Hawks had been in good form themselves, coming off a bit of a winning streak so there was plenty of intrigue ahead of this contest.

In one of the most exciting games of the entire 2023 season, things went down to the wire in an enthralling. After a see-sawing first three quarters of the match, the Pioneers held a four-point lead heading into the final change, although it could have been erased very fast. A pair of free throws to Toni Farnworth gave Ringwood the lead with two and a half minutes to play, but almost immediately after, Isabella Brancatisano replied with a three-pointer down the other end to put Mt. Gambier up by two. That ended up being the final basket of the match, with the Pioneers holding on for a 74-72 win.

While there were a great number of contributors for the winning side, Miela Goodchild ended up being the standout in a crucial result.

Mt. Gambier Pioneers (74) def. Ringwood Hawks (72)

Miela Goodchild – 27 points, seven rebounds, one assist, four steals

Goodchild had already produced a terrific 2023 campaign, and showed the capability to do it in big games with a stirring performance with her side’s season on the line.

Playing all 40 minutes, Goodchild was an exceptional leader for the Pioneers, leaving everything on the court and producing a tireless showing to spark her teammates.

Her 27 points were the most of any player on the court, getting to that total thanks to some exquisite accuracy when shooting the ball.

A total of 69 per cent of her shots from the field found the bottom of the net, making nine of her 13 attempts and defying some tough defence from the opposition. She was boosted by a blistering performance shooting the ball from behind the arc, making five threes on seven attempts in a damaging display.

She did most of her damage in the middle two quarters, ensuring the Pioneers always had an answer for whatever was thrown at them by the opposition.

The Pioneers will now take on the unbeaten Bendigo Braves in the preliminary final, looking to cause a massive upset and keep their season rolling.