WHEN Warrnambool heads to Melbourne tomorrow for the opening round of the Big V basketball season, they will be bolstered by a pair of Portland players.

The two Warrnambool teams will contest division one of Big V with Portland’s Nathan Hardingham to line up with the men’s Seahawks side, and Alana Strom with the women’s Mermaids team.

Strom, a key player in helping the Portland Coasters win their first Country Basketball League South West Conference title during the summer months – she was named the league’s defensive player of the season – is making her return to the Mermaids, having been part of their 2018 title-winning team. Not that the mum of four had originally planned a return.

“When (coach) Lee Primmer rang and had a chat to me about it, I was on the fence,” Strom said.

“I wasn’t too sure about it. We have four kids now and we also run our own electrical business.

“But then when we won the CBL grand final it really sparked something in me and I thought I’d give it another go.”

Former WNBL player Katie O’Keefe, who coached the Mermaids in the CBL over the summer, also returns to Big V level and will add plenty of experience, while a couple of other young Warrnambool players from the CBL season, Mia Mills and Molly McLaren, will also be part of the roster.

“It’s the start of the season so who knows where we stand, but our team does look fairly strong,” Strom said.

“We are a tall side and I think other teams will struggle to match that.

“Personally my main expectation is to have some fun with it, and just enjoy getting back to that fitness level required to play at Big V level.

“I have made some good friends through the Mermaids in the past, so getting to play with Katie and Amy Wormald again will be great.”

The Big V division one women’s competition will feature eight teams – Warrnambool, Melbourne University, Camberwell, Warrandyte, Craigieburn, Western Port, Bellarine and Mildura.

The Mermaids head to Melbourne tomorrow for the opening round, playing Melbourne University.

Hardingham keen to learn Reigning men’s CBL most valuable player Nathan Hardingham is new to Big V basketball and will use the season to continue his rapid improvement in the sport.

After training twice a week with the Seahawks over the past five weeks, Hardingham said he had his fingers crossed he will be in the team for tomorrow’s first game in Melbourne, against Melbourne Uni.

After a nervous start, he said he was now feeling more confident with being in the Seahawks system.

“At first it was a bit weird with a new team, as it is whenever you join a new team,” Hardingham said.

“But I’ve settled in, got to know everyone and I’m feeling quite comfortable now.”

He will use the season as another growth year, having shown vast improvement in his game over the past couple of years.

“In my under-18 Portland Coasters year I wasn’t even selected in the division one team initially, so it’s been a bit crazy with the progression,” the 19-year-old said.

“I was a back-up player in the squad then, but I did get to play because of injuries to other players, and I’m just continuing on trying to learn as much as I can.

“My junior coach was Trenton Johnston and he is a very good coach. I went into that side not knowing much about basketball, things like my footwork.

“My basketball IQ increased as soon as he was my coach.”

That improvement has continued into senior ranks with three full CBL seasons under his belt and being named the league’s most valuable player this summer.

Which leads us to the Seahawks, who will contest the 12-team division one section under the guidance of former Sydney Kings NBL player Alex Gynes.

“I always want to improve my basketball,” Hardingham said.

“My family and (Portland CBL coach) Rebel Noter encouraged me to have a go at it and I think it will give me a better understanding of where I am at with my basketball.

“There is a fair bit of travel involved with trips to Melbourne and Geelong every second weekend, but I have a lot of family support and they like to travel and come to my games.”

Other teams in the division one competition are Keysborough, Bellarine, Bulleen, Southern Peninsula, Corio Bay, Coburg, Warrandyte, Shepparton, RMIT Redbacks and Collingwood.