The teenager, playing his first season of men's basketball in the Country Basketball League, has scored 210 points and been in the Seahawks' best week in, week out.

Mitchell describes the youngster as "really coachable" and the type of player that soaks up everything like a sponge.

He said if Nicolson could keep up his great work ethic, he could play a big role for the Seahawks this year.

Mitchell also heaped praise on his other developing players Dailin Toone, Matthew Rea and Jack Patterson.

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He said they had all taken steps forward from where they were at the end of the 2018 Big V season.

The Seahawks leader said his sixth-positioned team could not make finals but was eager to win its final game on Saturday night.

Mitchell's side will play the Colac Kookas at Colac.

Warrnambool Mermaids will look to finish their regular season strongly on Saturday night.

The top-ranked Mermaids also play the Kookas in Colac with the chance to register their 10^th win.

The Mermaids will have weekend off before playing a semi-final on Saturday February 1.

The teams will wear green laces on Saturday to raise funds for muscular dystrophy.

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