BENDIGO Braves coach Ben Harvey is viewing another crucial contest against Mount Gambier Pioneers as a chance for his side to take control of their season.

Apart from wanting to win for co-captain Taylor Bell, who is lining up for his 350th SEABL game, the Braves can not only shore up their own position in the top-eight, but put a serious dent into the Pioneers’ final hopes.

The Braves enter round 11 in eighth spot on the ladder at 7-5, just one win behind a group of four teams with eight wins, three of which (Dandenong, North West Tasmania and Melbourne) have played one extra game.

But there is pressure from below in the form of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence (8-7), Geelong Supercats (6-6) and Albury-Wodonga Bandits (6-7), who the Braves will play on Saturday night.

Mount Gambier is next at 4-7 but by no means out of the playoff hunt.

Harvey was adamant the Pioneers’ win-loss record was no reflection of the team’s talent or standing in the competition.

“Mount Gambier have a very good group and is right in the hunt for finals,” he said.

“They have been a very good team over the years, but have had a few injuries this season.

“We know they are going to come out and play hard. (Pioneers coach) Richard Hill will want his team to come out and play hard and that’s what they will no will do.

“For us, we just need to focus on the basic stuff.

“We need to string a few wins together; as you can see in this competition, everyone is beating everyone – it’s a tough competition.

“At the end of the day it’s four weeks to go and eight games to play; we haven’t been a consistent team this season, but we get a chance now to play our best basketball at the right end of the season.”

Friday night’s game at Bendigo Stadium will be the Braves’ second clash this season against the Pioneers.

Harvey’s side successfully travelled to Mount Gambier in April and downed the reigning national champions 89-75.

That contest coincided with Braves’ co-captain Chris Hogan’s 400th game milestone; this time around it will be fellow veteran Taylor Bell’s 350th game.

Harvey lavished praise on the two-time national championship player and team co-captain ahead of a special night for the former Braves and Victoria Country junior.

“He’s been amazing. I’m so glad he decided to come back and play this year,” he said.

“I know his back has been a problem, but he is such a leader of this team, an easy guy to coach and a great friend.

“I am rapt he’ll get to play his 350th in front of his home crowd.

“He is one of those guys, who are never going to have high statistics, but he’s a ‘glue’ guy, someone who does everything he can for the team.

“He’s obviously been part of a few championships and I’m sure he’d like to finish off his career with another one and we are in a position where that could happen.”

Meanwhile, the Braves women will chase their 12th straight win of the season against Sydney Uni Sparks on Friday night.

They will do so with a host of players in red-hot form.

Their most recent win – an 81-67 triumph over Canberra Capitals Academy – was led by Kelly Wilson (22 points, 10 assists, six rebounds), Nadeen Payne (25 points, 13 rebounds) and Gabe Richards (17 points, eight rebounds).

The Sparks are coached by former Bendigo Spirit and Opals star Belinda Snell.