The Canberra Capitals are two from two to start the WNBL season, but winning at home on Sunday will be the real test to see if they fall into old habits or it's the start of a new beginning.
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The Capitals showed they can play tough when they beat the Melbourne Boomers 72-65 in Geelong on Friday night, withstanding a second-half comeback to hold on for a win.
It's the second year in a row the Capitals have been undefeated after their first two games of the year. But it went pear-shaped in the third game last year, losing the next 11 in a row.
So the clash against the Adelaide Lightning at the National Convention Centre on Sunday is a chance to bury the demons of last year and truly arrive as a genuine contender.
It's far too early in the season to be talking about make or break games, and the result against the Lightning certainly won't determine Canberra's finals fate.
But a hat-trick of wins for a new-look team will enhance the players' growing reputation as one of the danger sides this year.
They won their opening game with some razzle-dazzle play and started the same against the Boomers, streaking to a 42-25 half-time lead.
But the Boomers found some fight after the break and made the Capitals work for a gritty win on the road.
"It is [a great way to start] but we know there's still a long way in this season. The style we're playing, people should be excited to come and watch us at home and hopefully we can fill the stands on Sunday," said coach Paul Goriss.
Co-captain Kelsey Griffin was the standout for Canberra, finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds in a dominant performance against a Melbourne side boasting four Australian Opals.
"The difference in that game is Kelsey Griffin," Goriss said. "She's a warrior, she comes up with possession plays, gets a stop or steal and then can score. That was the difference.
"She's grunty workhorse who puts the team first, she did a hell of a job tonight. She's a pro in everything she does."
Lauren Scherf was strong again and went to work early against the Boomers' bigs, finishing with 40 points of her own.
Kia Nurse was impressive again with 12 points and guard Kelly Wilson again got through a mountain of work, playing the entire 40 minutes to lead the Capitals around the court.
Wilson, a three-time WNBL champion, will get some reprieve on Sunday with Leilani Mitchell set to play her first game for the club after recovering from a foot injury.
"Kelly and Maddi Rocci had to play plenty of minutes. And I just trust that Kelly tired will make great decisions and lead our team," Goriss said.
"Melbourne is a quality team, they've got four Opals and I think in the first half they were shooting 11 per cent from three-point.
"They were always going to make a comeback at some stage. We had to weather the storm in the third and fourth quarter."
AT A GLANCE
WNBL round two: CANBERRA CAPITALS 72 (Kelsey Griffin 23, Lauren Scherf 14, Kia Nurse 12) bt MELBOURNE BOOMERS 65 (Ezi Magbegor 19, Cayla George 13, Lindsay Allan 9) at Geelong on Friday night.
Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at National Convention Centre, 2pm. Tickets available at the door.
