Pritchard, who signed a three-year extension at the end of last season, said most eye-catching of all had been the impressive performances of former US college graduate Ashleigh Spencer.

The Spirit back-up is averaging 20.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in three appearances for the Ballarat Rush.

Those numbers include 23 points and seven rebounds in the Rush's season opening loss against the Bendigo Lady Braves in Ballarat.

This is Spencer's first season in the SEABL after she previously played state league basketball in her home state of South Australia with the South Adelaide Panthers.

She has played one season with the Spirit in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).

Pritchard said Spencer had been nervous before her SEABL about where she fitted in at Ballarat.

The 23-year-old promptly quelled those fears by nailing her first seven shots against the Lady Braves.

"We are really happy with the transition she has made to SEABL, being the first time she's played," he said.

"Her output has been fantastic."

Spencer is one of three Spirit squad members to have taken to the court for the Rush during their 1-2 start to the season.

Import Joy Burke is averaging 13.7 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Molly Mathews has 10.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

Pritchard said he was anticipating greater productivity from Burke on the boards.

"Our expectations of her are really quite high, we want her to dominate defensively and effect people's shots," he said.

"I think Keely Froling (34 points, seven rebounds) really had the better of her in that first game."

Launceston's Tayla Roberts, who was with the Spirit in 2014-15, leads the competition in rebounds with 16.5 rpg."

Pritchard weas heartened to see another Spirit youngster Ebony Rolph get plenty of court time in the Geelong Supercats' season opener against the Brisbane Spartans.

Rolph grabbed 11 rebounds in 21:32 minutes of court time in a five point Supercats loss.

"She's getting plenty of court time and plenty of opportunity to show her improvement," Pritchard said.

"I wasn't expecting that. And Molly Mathews (12 points, five rebounds) had a much better game against Canberra on the weekend.

"In the second half she really stamped herself on the game - it was good to see her have an impact in the game.

"We really want to see her attack opposition teams and that's what she has to bring with Ballarat for us to bring her back next year.

"Al our players need to really have an impact at that lower (SEABL) level, they can't just be a receiver-shooter, they need to be play makers."

A pair of Spirit players lead the league assist averages, with Lady Braves guard Kelly Wilson (nine per game) out in front of Jane Chalmers (six per game).

Wilson is also second in scoring on 30 ppg, behind teammate Froling (34 ppg).

The Lady Braves have played just once and continue their season this Saturday against Nunawading and on Sunday in Bendigo against Launceston.

Meanwhile, Pritchard said the Spirit had re-signed five of its existing team, with details to be released soon.

He said the club was in negotiations with a new perimeter player and would learn if they had been successful in securing her signature next week.