IT’S a big weekend for Portland’s Country Basketball League players with a double header of basketball kicking off tomorrow in Torquay after a three-week break.

The men’s and women’s teams face Surfcoast tomorrow in Torquay before hosting Terang at the Portland Basketball Stadium on Sunday in round nine of the south west conference.

It is a 1pm tip-off for the women on Sunday followed by the men’s clash at 3pm.

Portland’s women’s group is well and truly raring to go for their return matches.

Coach Ellen Zeunert explained that the team was using the extended time without playing as fuel for their excitement ahead of the fixtures.

“We’re very excited to get on court… it should be a couple of very good games,” Zeunert said.

“The girls have had plenty of opportunities to play even over the break with most of them playing in junior tournaments such as the one in Horsham the weekend before last.”

The young side will hope to welcome back one of their most valuable contributors, with Zeunert hopeful that Tanielle Knight will return for both matches this weekend.

“Now that her exams are over Tanielle should be more available to play which is fantastic… we’re very much hoping to see her out there in both games this weekend,” she said.

Regardless of the additions, the Coasters will be sure to not take their opposition lightly, particularly as the side needs a couple of wins to keep themselves in touch with the top half of the ladder.

“We’re far from out of confidence after our games against Millicent… we understand that group is going to be a class above all season long… the focus is on developing after those games and getting some experience,” Zeunert said.

“Their records might not show it but the two teams we’re facing off against are solid sides who are not far off… I expect them to improve as the season goes on.”

She added that the side will be emphasising defensive intensity and technique ahead of this pair of games, as well as continuing to build some chemistry between the players.

“At training and in the games… we just want to get some familiarity in the group… get the team used to playing with one another,” Zeunert said.

“I want to see them buckle down and work on their defensive intensity and footwork… trying to stay in front of our opponents.”

The women will take on Surfcoast at Wurdi Baierr Stadium tomorrow, with the game set for a 3pm start.