Basketball League for an expected six weeks with a stress fracture in a foot.

This is not the outcome Warton or the Ballarat Community Health Lady Miners wanted with their

season delicately poised.

The Lady Miners are fourth, but are still to show the form needed to match it with the leading three

teams of Launceston, Bendigo and Nunawading.

"Rachel's really disappointed, as everyone is," coach Kym Cassells said.

With the make up of the Lady Miners changing significantly this season, Warton has taken on an

even more important role.

She has been coming off the bench as relief for the power of Crystal Costin and height of Chantal

Allgood.

Warton has shot a season-high 16 points and had up to seven rebounds while averaging more than

18 minutes.

Cassells said Warton had been troubled by the foot for a while and medical advice confirmed a break.

Warton's absence will open the door for Emma Reus to play her most significant role yet in the

SEABL.

Reus has mixed duties between the Lady Miners and Ballarat Lady Nuggets in the Big V for several

years.

She is one of tallest players in the SEABL women's conference a and the time has arrived for Reus

to make her presence felt in a big way.

Reus showed some promising signs in Ballarat's loss to Nunawading a week ago _ using her reach

to advantage.

"While it's disappointing for Rachel, this provides a great opportunity for Emma."

Despite the setback of losing Warton, Cassells is confident the Lady Miners can bounce back.

"We've done a fair bit of hard work (this week).

"We've addressed where we wrong," Cassells said.

Ballarat faces fifth-placed Kilsyth at the Minerdome tonight and a rematch with Nunawading at

Nunawading tomorrow.

"They're two tough games. They'll sort us out."

Even though the Lady Miners are yet to get a win over a title contender, Cassells is confident this

could change as early as tomorrow.

"We didn't work hard enough (against Nunawading on Saturday night).

"Our work ethic was pretty ordinary.

"There's been some soul searching.

"We've talked about what's got to be done," Cassell said.