Captain Janet Main hopes to celebrate a decade with the Otago Goldrush with a national title this weekend.
The 25-year-old point guard began playing for the Goldrush at the tender age of 15 and, in a testament to her dedication and love of the team, has stayed around ever since.
''It's awesome being able to play alongside some of my best mates,'' the physiotherapist said.
''Our biggest strength is that we're a team, both on and off the court.''
The veteran playmaker leads by example, helping lead the team's blue-collar style of play.
''I try to set a precedent of hard work that has become a huge part of our team culture,'' Main said.
''Whether it's in the gym, at practice, or on the court, every one of the girls know they need to put in 100% effort.''
The Goldrush, third after the first two rounds of the Women's Basketball Championship, will need her leadership at the finals in Porirua over the next three days.
Main is quietly confident this year's team has what it takes.
''We're going to take each game as they come, but I think we have the team to take it all the way.''
The Goldrush opens today with a game against the North Harbour Breeze, a team it beat earlier this month.
''We've had success against the Breeze this season, but our team is the kind of team where we have to be on our game every time we go out, in order to take the win,'' Otago coach Todd Marshall said.
At 8pm, the Goldrush will play the Waikato Wizards, which beat the Goldrush 51-39 in June.
Two of those three teams will progress to the semifinals, which will be played tomorrow.
The Goldrush will be without star player Samara Gallaher. The Tall Fern will be playing for her Melbourne-based team, the Hume City Broncos.
The loss of Gallaher, who has averaged 16 points and nine rebounds a game, is huge for a Goldrush team already lacking in size.
However, Marshall is confident his resilient team will be fine without her.
''Obviously, Samara brings a lot to the court with her play,'' Marshall said.
''But I believe we have the depth at the guard spot to still make a strong run at the title without her.''
A lot of the pressure will rest on the strong shoulders of dual international Suzie Bates.
Bates is having a stellar season, putting up 16 points, three assists and five rebounds a night. The sharp-shooting guard is also hitting her perimeter shots at a 38% clip.
-by Leni Ma'i'ai
