The South Canterbury Stealers have had back-to-back wins as the continued their pre-season build up to a debut season in the national second division Womens' Basketball Championships (WBC).
Playing as a curtain-raiser at the Southern Trust Event Centre on Sunday, coach Sean Fuller praised the side's defensive effort in a 57-39 win over Otago's Division 2 side. The scoreline was similar to a 55-33 win over the same the previous week.
"We led for the whole match, which was really satisfying.
Millie Ford and Jorja Miller advance down the court in the South Canterbury Stealers' 57-39 win over Otago.
"In the second quarter, we held them to only four points, and that proved the difference."
Fuller said all the players put up a good effort, but he was particularly impressed with Dallas Frederikson, Milly Ford and 15-year-old Jorja Miller.
Hammah Matehaere of Otago and South Canterbury Stealers' Dallas Frederikson face off at the Southern Trust Events Centre.
"It was up and down the whole way, but I feel we got our structure better in the second half."
The match was a warm-up to the WBC with South Canterbury competing in the second division for the first time.
"It's exciting, but there's also an unknown quality, as we simply can't measure how good we are until we get to the game time. But the Otago side (we played against) had a number of division one players, so that suggests we can foot it with the best of them," Fuller said.
Fuller said he believe the team had played better than their first win.
"That match was more about our offence, but I think we played better (on Sunday). When the side clicked, it was good to watch."
Fuller said with four secondary school-aged players in the squad, there was a lot of potential in the side.
"The younger ones are just going to get better and better the more they play.
"But it's great seeing their enthusiasm. Once they start playing, they really love it."
The South Canterbury Stealers's first WBC tournament is in Christchurch's Cowles Stadium on May 10-12.
Queen Margaret College, Wellington will host tournament two on June 15-16 where each conference will play against their own teams, while the final tournament will take place on July 4-6 in Auckland.