The OneFortyOne Pioneers have hit the ground running confirming the re-signing of talented young guard Johanna Jones for the 2022 NBL1 South season.

Head Coach Matt Sutton is excited to have Joey’s commitment as the clubs recruiting drive is in full swing as the first of our returning players commit to season 2022.

“I am really pleased to be able to continue to work with Johanna, she is an incredible talent with a lot of potential,” he said.

Jones moved from Victoria and is attending school in Mount Gambier after playing with the Warrnambool mermaids in Big V competition.

Sutton said it has been impressive watching Jones handle the difficult cross-border situation.

“The COVID situation was really tough for Joey over the past season given her family is across the border, so she showed a lot of maturity dealing with that for a young person,” he said.

“Joey has been on court working on different areas of her game and is starting to really understand and buy in to the work it takes to compete at this level.”

After scoring three wins in the club’s first NBL1 South season, the recruiting drive is on with Mount Gambier president Tom Kosch said they are hoping to add size and depth to the core group of players whilst developing young up and coming athletes such as Jones.

“Having a young talent in Joey commit to our women’s program in the early day’s is crucial for our basketball club,” he 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 Club will make announcements about returning players and new signings for the 2022 season in the coming weeks.