NEW imports don't come much fresher than Cameron Mitchell.
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The anticipated Warrnambool recruit arrived in the south-west on Saturday afternoon and suited up for the Seahawks just hours later.
Mitchell, who recently used an internet search engine to locate his new home, said he had the perfect welcome to Warrnambool - which doubled as the perfect jet-lag remedy.
The Seahawks posted their first win of the Big V division one season, escaping Werribee 83-78.
Despite being tired from the long-haul flight, Mitchell top-scored with 28 points.
"I've never even been close to Australia before," he told The Standard yesterday.
"I had to Google (Warrnambool) to see where it was. I'd never heard of it.
"The plane ride was the longest ever; from my home town of Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, to New Zealand and then to Melbourne.
"I was a little bit jet-lagged but the good crowd got me pumped up and I kind of forgot about it."
Mitchell, who has played in the Irish super league for UL Eagles and Willamette University in Oregon, was lured to the Seahawks by playing-coach Tim Gainey.
On Saturday, the confident 22-year-old centre adopted the title of "vocal leader", despite not knowing his teammates' names.
"I met everyone before the game started and I got to learn their names on the court," he said.
"I tried to help out with rebounds, scoring a few points and helping out the younger players."
Warrnambool gave its home crowd something to cheer about on Saturday night when it jumped out to a 19-18 lead in the first term.
"It was a great team performance," Mitchell said.
"We played well together."
The Seahawks extended their advantage to 36-32 by the long break.
A 26-points-to-20 third term sealed the deal for the host.
Werribee debutant Mark Rizza, who was a division one all-star guard when playing for Sunbury, spurred the Devils' revival in the fourth term but it was too little too late.
Mitchell was content with his debut.
"I like everyone and we played well together," he said.
"We just need to keep practicing so we can get better and better."
The newest Seahawk is already plotting their attack on finals.
"I really hope we can make the play-offs," he said.
"If we can make the final four, anything is possible."
mrooth@standard.fairfax.com.au
