Another key piece of the Launceston Tornadoes' roster has been secured with Mariah Payne signing on for another season.
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As one of Sarah Veale's most trusted players due to her emergence as an effective scorer in NBL1 South, Payne's addition is a boost for Launceston.
Payne averaged 22 points a game with five assists and six rebounds to highlight her all-around contribution to a Launceston side whose championship hopes were cruelled by COVID-19.
The 25-year-old's signature comes after the Tornadoes added last season's most valuable player Keely Froling and all-WNBL second team member Kelsey Griffin for the upcoming season.
Payne pointed to the two Australian representatives as a persuasive factor as to why she signed on for another campaign.
"It's super exciting to play alongside two players of that calibre, it's really good, not only for the Launceston Tornadoes but for Basketball Tasmania, they're two of the best in Australia," she said.
"So to be able to play alongside them, it's pretty special to learn from them as well."
With much of the Tornadoes' roster intact from last season, and another signing potentially to come, Payne was feeling comfortable with her decision to don the Launceston colours again.
"It feels good, I am really excited, obviously last season was cut short and we started something pretty special," she said.
"To re-sign with a similar playing group is really exciting."
After rejoining the Tornadoes last year following a stint in college basketball with Minot State University Beavers between 2016 and 2020, the Burnie-born guard has silverware on her mind.
"I think as a team we all have the same goal in mind, that we want to go and win a championship, that was our goal last year so I think moving forward that's the same goal," she said.
"We have the talent to do so, I think we have a good culture and a tight-knit group ... so our goal is to just win a championship."
The Tornadoes' season starts against the Hobart Chargers on April 23 at Elphin Sports Centre.
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