Young Fever shooter fires them to win

Mar 17, 2017 - 6:54 PM Emerging shooter Kaylia Stanton looks to be the long-term replacement for Caitlin Bassett at West Coast Fever as they prepare to welcome back their ex-teammate.

Bassett was a mainstay at Fever in the trans-Tasman netball competition amassing over 4000 goals.

But with the introduction of the new Super Netball competition, she joined Sunshine Coast Lightning and will make her return to Perth on Friday night.

Fever lost the first four games of the season, but broke their duck on Friday with an impressive 50-45 victory over the NSW Swifts at HBF Arena.

Fellow young stars Ingrid Colyer, Courtney Bruce and Jess Anstiss were also strong performers, but it was Stanton's effort in attack that sets up Bassett's return.

Kate Beveridge was the expected replacement for Bassett before struggling early in her 150th game against Queensland Firebirds at Peth Arena.

Stanton was thrown in at the deep end and grabbed her chance.

Her performance on Friday with 43 goals from 56 attempts was reminiscent of a young Bassett.

Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich couldn't be happier with how Stanton is coming along.

"Kaylia has done really well at underage level and we've had to develop a lot of aspects in her game with her strength and knowing when to hold and move," Marinkovich said.

"She is putting the close and long-range shots up as well. For me once she got an opportunity, it was about her finding consistency and she has deserved this opportunity."

Marinkovich was a teammate, captain and coach of Bassett at Fever and is intrigued to see how her return pans out.

"It will be interesting with her coming back," Marinkovich said.

"The crowd here has a respect for the girls who have come in and are working really hard, and they know those other players chose to leave.

"Hopefully they are right behind our girls and can make it a little difficult for her. She is shooting quite well so a little bit of pressure from the outside would be nice."

Source: AAP