NBL1 South: Launceston Tornadoes take on Bendigo Braves at Elphin

After a bye and a COVID-enforced week off, Torns coach Sarah Veale said the team used the time productively to stay prepared for the second leg of the season.

Victorian teams, however, have missed more than a month of play due to COVID lockdowns in the state.

"We certainly focussed on what we needed to adjust and change in readiness for this game and the next one," Veale said.

The team will be without centre Lauren Wise, who remains at the Basketball Australia camp for the under-19 world cup selections.

While imposing veteran Kelsey Griffin was slated to play at Elphin, COVID restrictions have prevented the 33-year-old from joining the team.

"Kelsey is really disappointed that this has happened as she was really looking forward to her first game at Elphin, but it is outside of her control," the Launceston Tornadoes said on Facebook.

In the one game the Froling/Griffin pairing have played together against the Kilsyth Cobras in May, they dominated with the two notching 25 points, 16 rebounds and 24 points, 13 rebounds respectively. Veale said the team did extra conditioning training and had a few hit-outs to keep in shape.

With the North-West Basketball Union wrapping up this week, some players will move over to the Launceston Basketball Association's senior competition to scratch their basketball itch.

"It's been quite strategic to make sure we're peaking at the right time in the season," Veale said.

And despite Froling missing nearly a month due to travelling to Austria for the 3x3 Olympic qualifier, she still leads the NBL1 South in average points per game with 33.85 and is second in average rebounds (17.71) per game.

The Torns will need the Canberra Capitals veteran to put on her best against the Braves; a team that, like Launceston, has had a top start to their season at 6-2.

"They're a tough challenge - they're really disciplined, extremely well-coached and they have Tess Madgen who's an Opal," Veale said.

"She's going to be a handful for us, and is certainly the focal point to try and contain.

"They've also got Kate Oliver - a dominant big who's dominant on the board so she'll keep Keely busy.

"They're a good group ... it's going to be a tough match-up for us, [we're] looking forward to it though."

The Braves' only two losses came at the hands of the undefeated Frankston Blues, who sit atop the NBL1 South ladder. Saturday's game will start at 6.30pm.

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