New recruit Nadeen Payne and import Jeremy Kendle became the first winners of the respective women’s and men’s awards, which have a new sponsor this season in Spalding.

Coming off a MVP-winning season with Bendigo Spirit, Payne showed she is ready to take the SEABL by Storm with a first-up 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a steal against Diamond Valley.

Scoring seven more points than any other player in the league over the weekend, Payne shot 14-19 from the field at 73 per cent while also hitting 3-5 from beyond the arc.

It’s the third-straight season a Lady Braves player has earned the player of the week nomination in round one.

Payne follows Keely Froling in 2016 and Carlie Smith in 2017.

The Queensland-born forward hit 10-13 from the paint and one mid-range bucket to go with her three three-pointers.

The clash against the Eagles marked Payne’s first game in the SEABL since 2014, when she lined up with Launceston.

Meanwhile, after 12 months spent plying his trade in the NBL and New Zealand national league, Kendle showed he has lost none of his hustle and effectiveness to cap a thrilling one-point win for the Braves with 36 points, two rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Kendle, who was the league MVP in his debut SEABL season in 2016, scored 13 of Bendigo’s 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Braves looked to hold out a desperate Diamond Valley.

Kendle was the league’s top scorer in his first season in the league and has quickly rocketed to the top of the averages.

He again shapes as a key to the Braves’ championship ambitions, alongside new import Ray Turner and NBL point guard Indiana Faithfull.

The Braves men and women will have a weekend off, but will return to action for their home season-openers against Hobart Chargers on April 21.