TIME away from basketball has given Eliza Roughead a new hunger for the game.
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She has been absolutely dominating the boards in her comeback.
Lingering knee tendonitis forced Roughead to make the tough decision to remain on the sidelines last season - the toughest part, she says, was watching her teammates play on without her - but it allowed her more time to focus on year 12 studies.
The 20-year-old is now back on the floor with Ballarat Rush, suiting up in the Big V Youth League and keenly building to try and earn a few minutes with Rush's marquee team once South East Australian Basketball League competition starts.
Roughead has been averaging 16.8 rebounds in the opening four rounds with an average 8.8 points and 3.8 assists and really, is just happy to be out on the floor.
"It's been fantastic. Everyday I think about how much I enjoy the game," Roughead said.
"I had to take the time off to get better.
"Now I am back, I really re-appreciate being able to play the game. I love the game so much."
Roughead played a little bit of social basketball last year. Her first few training sessions with Rush were "very rusty" and Roughead said it was still taking time to get her game back.
Plus, when Roughead left off she was playing in Rush under-18s.
Open-age competition is a whole new ball game.
Hailing from Maryborough, Roughead fine-tuned her game through the Ballarat representative program.
Now a first-year physiotherapy student at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Roughead could have taken her game anywhere.
She said there was never any doubt in returning to the Minerdome.
"I was always going to come back here," Roughead said.
"This is where I played juniors and loved it.
"It's been absolutely fantastic coming back. My family's in Maryborough and I'm travelling back anyway and I have that support here.
"...It's difficult going from juniors to seniors but I'm fortunate to know a lot of the girls and coaches and how they play."
Rush has incorporated under-18s players into group sessions with the youth league and SEABL rosters.
Roughead said that just training with experienced SEABL players had opened her eyes to a whole new level in the game.
Being back in the program gives Roughead more drive to keep improving and see where the game can take her.
BALLARAT RUSH v MELBOURNE TIGERS
WHAT: Big V Youth League, Victorian youth championship women
WHERE: Wendouree Sports and Events Centre
WHEN: Saturday, 6pm.
Ballarat Miners' youth league from 8pm