The Bendigo Spirit's morale is stronger than ever for a double-header weekend against Canberra and Townsville.
First up is a home game away from home at Ballarat where they will host the Capitals, who are third on the ladder with a 7-2 record.
Spirit are seventh with 2-7 record.
"We're looking forward to playing a new team, they are a formidable squad and are the current champions," Spirit coach Tracy York said.
"A very strong group and we look forward to the challenge."
Among the team is former Spirit championship player Kelsey Griffin.
"She is a superstar and a real competitor which is fantastic to have in a player," York said.
"We have been watching tapes and clearly she goes all out every match and never gives up, definitely one we will try and limit."
They will then travel north to Townsville, who are bottom of the ladder with a 1-7 record.
"We will get a training session in on Sunday morning before we play the Fire, the last game we scouted was between Canberra and Townsville, so we were able to see them both play" York said.
Above all the focus for the weekend is to get another win on the board.
"It would be nice to reward the girls as they have been working hard on court, in the gym and how we have played has improved every week," York said.
Spirit suffered a tough five-point loss to Sydney Flames last Friday, with 29 points from the victors in the fourth quarter.
"When I watched the whole game back...we didn't have any major lapses, Sydney made some really good shots and it was how we reacted with our defensive intensity," York said.
It certainly hasn't impacted the team's outlook.
"Our morale is going well. Our mantra is to train and play the same way regardless of if we win or lose," York said.
"During the week we've had some chats with the girls, we know we were close and played some good basketball."
Spirit's second-year import Becca Tobin said the team was primed for the weekend.
"We're hungry and ready to win. We're going to play strong and hard," Tobin said.
"During the week our focus has been on defence, we gave up too many points in that last quarter against Sydney."
The team was without Abbey Wehrung, who was sidelined recovering from injury, but will return to the court against Canberra.
"She brings offensive and defensive energy to our team, taking lots of rebounds which is a strong point for our guards," Tobin said.
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