THE Bendigo Lady Braves hope new import Chante Black can have an immediate impact on the team's fortunes against the Frankston Blues on Saturday night.
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Black arrived in Bendigo on Monday, only days after being signed as a replacement for star centre Elyse Penaluna, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
Her inclusion is timely, with the Lady Braves also losing young centre Caitlin McLachlan with a knee injury.
The 20-year-old will require surgery, with coach Jonathan Goodman saying her recovery would not be rushed.
"We won't be putting any pressure on her at all," he said.
"If it means the season, it means season.
"We just want the best for her."
Goodman said Frankston was traditionally a tough opponent - particularly at home - and he expected nothing different this weekend from a line-up that includes WNBL talent Kayla Standish (Adelaide), Tenaya Phillps (Dandenong) and Kelly Bowen (Adelaide).
Standish is currently second in the league in scoring, averaging 25.6 points per game.
Bowen ranks third with 24ppg and is also third in rebounds (12.1rpg).
Despite sitting in fifth position on the east conference ladder with a 4-4 win-loss record, Goodman said he was not overly disappointed with where the team was placed.
"I would have liked to have been at least 6-2, but we have had a battle with injuries all the way through," he said.
"Unfortunately we have another girl (McLachlan) who has to have surgery.
"Ou injury woes aren't going to end, but hopefully they can improve."
Lady Braves skipper Kelly Wilson will enter the game in great touch after 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in last weekend's loss to Dandenong.
The WNBL star leads the league in assist with 7.1 and is averaging 21.9ppg.
Keely Froling (18.9ppg and 8.8rpg) will look to rebound from a rare quiet game against the Rangers and will welcome more than anyone the addition of the 196 centimetre tall Black.
Goodman believed there were still plenty of positives emerging from within the playing group.
"The thing we are doing really well is getting strong contributions from everybody," he said.
"It's something that we probably haven't had in the past from our bench, but our bench has really stepped up another level.
"We are looking at that continuing. We are able to put points on the board, that's not a problem, it's just been our defensive end and containing and defending people."
Tahnee Cannan provided plenty of spark against Dandenong with 11 points off the bench.
The clash at Frankston Basketball Stadium is scheduled for 5pm Saturday.
