BENDIGO Braves import Dyami Starks has backed the team to rise to the challenge in the second of three straight weekend double headers.
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The 3-3 Braves take on the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (1-2) in Bendigo on Friday, before hitting the road for a clash against the Ballarat Miners (2-2).
As the Braves continue to battle injuries, Starks said scheduling had not done them any favours, but it was a scenario his teammates were determined to rise above.
"We have to focus on solutions and not problems, and that's something coach (Ben) Harvey does a good thing in preparing us for," he said.
"We just need people to step up and we need leaders to step up, and that's something I've been focusing on.
"I've been trying to get guys into the gym on our off days and keep guys together and to remind everyone it's still early (in the season)."
The Braves approach their double header with Starks and fellow import C.J. Aiken in excellent touch.
Starks was adamant there were better things to come from Aiken, who averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, as the Braves split last weekend's matches, including a loss to Nunawading.
Meanwhile, star shooting guard Carlie Smith said the Lady Braves were keen to make up for a rare loss at last week in their match against the COE.
"After last weekend we're pretty pumped, we all know the Centre of Excellence is a young group, so they are going to be pretty fit and fast," she said.
"But I think with our experience, we can use that to our advantage.
"(The loss) burnt a lot, it was pretty disappointing, I'm not going to lie.
"We've reflected on it and gone over the things we've done well and haven't done so well and we'll grow from it."
The clash against the Basketball Australia young guns will also be the first of two for the women's side, with a road clash against the Ballarat Rush on Saturday.
The Rush, under coach David Flint, has a familiar look to it, containing Bendigo Spirit roster members Ashleigh Spencer and Molly Mathews, and former import Joy Burke, who is averaging 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in her team's 0-2 start to the season.
Still burning form last Sunday's loss, coach Jonathon Goodman said his side would be gunning for two wins.
"It's a great rivalry with Ballarat - usually it's the opening round, but this year it's round five," he said.
"Its going to be a great hit-out, those games always seem to go down to the wire no matter where those groups end up on the ladder.
"There's a lot of passion - I think we've labelled it the Goldfields battle - we're really looking forward to it."
