Cigi, 14, played 10 minutes and scored four points on debut as the Mermaids scored a thrilling 64-63 division one victory over Western Port at The Arc.

The Mermaids bounced back after a 85-44 away loss to Camberwell in the opening round.

"It was nerve-racking at the start but once I got the hang of it, it was fun," Cigi said.

The teenager has made the jump after playing under 16s for the Mermaids last season.

She said the round two call-up came as a surprise.

"I was happy but surprised at the same time," she said of when Primmer told her she was playing.

While she hadn't played for the Big V or Country Basketball League Mermaids' teams prior to Saturday, she had trained with them.

Primmer said Cigi was one of four 14-year-olds in the 12-player squad.

Meanwhile 19-year-old Juina, who played her first Big V game in March 2019, was thrilled to see her young sister get promoted.

"It's great to see your little siblings follow in your footsteps," she said.

Juina has played about a dozen Big V games.

"I played that 2019 season and unfortunately last year due to COVID we couldn't play last season," she said.

"It's great to be back out there this year and it was exciting Saturday to have a big home crowd and be playing at home, that was great to see."

She has enjoyed getting used to the women's competition.

"It's a lot different to playing junior basketball, obviously there are bigger bodies which we're not used to," she said.

"But you get the feel of it and once you start playing, you just forget about it and play your own game, which is good."

Cigi said playing against women was something she was adjusting to.

The sisters, who are of South Sundanese heritage, enjoy shooting hoops together at home.

They also enjoy banter.

"Yeah so everyone can know I'm better than her," Cigi said with a smile when asked if she enjoyed playing alongside her sister.

Fans can look forward to another double-header this Saturday at The Arc.

The Mermaids host Mildura with tip-off at 6pm.

The Seahawks, coming off a 80-70 home win against Southern Peninsula, play Shepparton from 8pm.

Matilda Fitzgerald had a standout game for the Mermaids on Saturday, top-scoring with 21 points.

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