BENDIGO Bank Braves fans have a lot to look forward to with American import Zack Atkinson posting big scores in the SEABL pre-season tournament at the weekend.
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Held in Horsham across Saturday and Sunday, the Braves played three games against fellow SEABL teams, the Nunawading Spectres, Ballarat Miners and the Mount Gambier Pioneers.
The pre-season challenge was the first time Bendigo fans got a glimpse of the Braves' newest imports for the 2014 season.
Atkinson, from South Carolina scored 26 points in the Braves’ win against the Ballarat Miners.
Braves player Kevin Probert said it was an amazing performance.
“He is incredible,” he said.
“Zack will put on a big show for Bendigo when the season starts.”
Probert said Bendigo also lost by four points to Mt Gambier in the first game.
“It is a game we probably should have won,” he said.
“But having so many new players in our team it will take some time before we gel.”
Bendigo then lost to Nunawading.
American Dustin Salisbery and Perth Wildcats development player Michael Vigor also made their debuts for the Braves.
"Dustin probably didn't shoot as well as he had hoped but he has an exciting game and Michael was probably our most consistent player across the weekend," Probert said.
Overall, Probert said he was happy with how the team played.
"It was an important tournament, not only on court but off-court as well," he said.
"It is about bonding with the team."
The Bendigo Braves will hold a camp this week before taking on the Ballarat Miners in another practice match on Saturday.