WARRNAMBOOL Mermaid Maddy White was bursting to get back on the court after being sidelined for eight weeks with a broken collarbone.
The 16-year-old stuck to a strict recovery plan and has since been a key player for her unbeaten side.
However, the talented centre/forward will miss this weekend's first semi-final for a Basketball Victoria intensive training program (ITP) camp.
She is also hoping to avoid one of the two following encounters.
Big V finals work on a best-of-three system.
Warrnambool travels to Warrandyte this Sunday, with a further two contests scheduled for next weekend.
Maddy hopes Warrnambool can progress to the grand final in straight sets. "I hope they win," she said.
"I hope they smash them.
"They will definitely need to be defensive and their offence will just come naturally after that."
The Brauer College student snapped her collarbone at a national basketball championship in April.
Her Mermaids and Koroit A grade commitments were shelved for two difficult months.
"It was the worst time I've ever had watching (the Mermaids) from the sidelines," she said.
"It was so hard watching them play and not being out there.
"But obviously it was good to see them win."
Maddy has now contributed to seven division one matches.
"I started with small amounts of court time and it's gradually built up," she said.
"I had to get used to the physicality of basketball and get my confidence back. But I'm fitting into the team really well."
The agile netballer has also been rotated in several attacking positions on the court for Koroit. However, Maddy said the Saints were her second priority.
"They all know basketball is number one," she said.
"It's the same for (Koroit and Mermaids teammates) Louise McLean and Carly Pulling."