Canberra Capitals young gun Maddison Rocci knows how important these games are.
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Not for the chance to lock horns with a former mentor in Bendigo Spirit point guard Kelly Wilson.
But for the opportunity to take the WNBL to a region which so rarely gets a taste of sport at the highest level.
The Capitals beat the Spirit 91-66 at the Ballarat Sports Centre on Friday night.
While Canberra were on the wrong side of the halfway line given it was a Bendigo home game, that counted for little.
Because the Capitals were given a chance to inspire another crop of youngsters - something they are clearly doing on their own home court.
The Capitals were named the ACT's team of the year at the city's sport awards last week, the importance of which is never lost on Rocci.
She can see how much of an impact the defending champions are having in the minutes following the final buzzer, at which point scores of fans pour onto the court.
They're hunting autographs, selfies, and just a few moments with their idols.
"It was always a dream of mine when I was growing up to be one of those players on the court giving out autographs," Rocci said.
"To have those little fans come up to you after the game, some of them tell you you're their hero, it's pretty special.
"It has grown, since last year we have a lot more fans and a lot of kids that come out and want to be a part of it all with us.
"It's pretty special to be recognised by everyone in Canberra for our achievement last year. It's pretty special, especially for women in sport, to be recognised as a women's basketball team."
The Bendigo clash is Canberra's lone hit out for round eight of the WNBL season before they return home next week.
The Capitals will welcome a championship contender in the Southside Flyers to the National Convention Centre on December 15.
That battle will see Rocci get another chance to lock horns with a former mentor in Leilani Mitchell after she shifted to the Victorian franchise this season.
Capitals coach Paul Goriss has no doubt Rocci would be able to rise to the task, adamant the emerging point guard lives for battles like those.
Rocci has formed a huge part of Canberra's solid guard rotation alongside the likes of French national team import Olivia Epoupa and youngster Abby Cubillo this season.