This marks Chris’s first SEABL Player of the Week award. In what has been an up-and-down season to date for the Cobras, Chris has been a consistent contributor averaging 12pts, two assists and five rebounds.

On Saturday night against the visiting Spectres, Chris put in a performance to make the Kilsyth faithful happy, putting up his best numbers for the season. It took Payne a little while to get going but in the second he found his range as the half closed with 14 points to go along with three assists and two blocked shots as the Cobras led by seven.

In the second half Chris kept going about his business but attacked the glass with gusto pulling in all his 11 boards in the second half, all the while still looking for his shot and his teammates. By the time the clock had signalled the end of proceedings Chris had logged 36 minutes of court time for a return of 25pts @ 53%, 4/8 from three-point range, 11 rebounds and eight assists in falling just shy of an elusive “triple double”.

EAST MEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Patrick Mills - AIS

There are not many more adjectives that can be used to describe the pintsized dynamo from the Institute of Sport. Already a Boomers squad member and shortly about to lead his country into the Under 19 World Championships and then take up a scholarship with St Mary’s in the States, Patrick just keeps on going about his business quietly but effectively. Saturday night against the visiting Chargers Mills put in a sublime performance in winning what is remarkably his first Player of the Week award ever.

Patrick had a slow start, working his way into the game with a six-point first quarter that left the teams tied at 19 at the change. Mills then went to work in the middle two stanzas, compiling 14 and 13 points respectively as the teams were tied again at three-quarter time.

In the second and third quarters Pat shot the ball at an efficient 68%, 11 of 16 from the floor which included four of seven from distance. But not only did Mills score, he went to the glass hard for a player of his stature and in the end helped his team to a hard-fought 11-point win.

He finished up with 36 points @ 67%, eight rebounds, six assists and only one turnover in a performance that underlines why he is considered by many the next BIG thing in Australian hoops.

Other notable performances were:
- Veteran Hobart Charger Anthony Stewart did all he could to try and get a win for his team on the road in the nation's capital with two outstanding performances. Against the Mills-led AIS, Stewie put up 49 pts, four rebounds, four assists and two steals and against the Gunners 26pts, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
- New West Sydney Razorback signing Anthony Petrie helped his Canberra Gunners to a win on
the weekend leading the way as usual with 29 points @ 71%, 17 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and three steals vs Hobart.
- Second-year import Shawn Myers helped the undefeated Supercats stay that way averaging 23 points and nine rebounds across two games this weekend.
- Young NBL sensation Brad Williamson helped his Spartans get back on the winners' list with a 33-point haul against the visiting Thunder.

WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kristen Veal – NW Tasmania Lady Thunder

As the Lady Thunder’s gun mid-season recruit, Kristen Veal repaid some faith back to the organisation this weekend leading her new team to a surprising 2-0 result. In one of the toughest road trips of the season - the Southern Districts Lady Spartans on Saturday night and then flying back to Melbourne Sunday for a date with a full strength Knox Raiders - Kristen was simply amazing, playing every minute of both contests.

In a consistent performance on Saturday, Veal ran her team from the paint having 12 points at the half @ 67% and two from two from three-point range to go into the changerooms 10 points up at the half. The “Tall Timber” Thunder were never headed and recorded a comfortable 15-point road win with Kristen finishing with 28 points @ 53%, 6/8 from long range @ 75%. Add to that six assists and three steals and Veal was the difference between the two sides.

After catching the 6am flight out of Brisbane to meet the improving Knox Raiders at 1pm, Veal put in another vintage display in helping her side claim victory in a high-scoring overtime win. After finding themselves down by 10 points at the main break, Kristen came out all guns blazing in the third quarter scorching Knox for 11 points at 57%, which included 3/4 from downtown. She also picked up three boards and two steals in a quarter that cut the margin to six at the last change.

In the fourth Veal went to work with fellow guard Penny Fulton scoring 12 of their 22 points for the quarter to push the game into overtime. Once in overtime the Lady Thunder rattled off 18 points to 11 for a resounding win and Veal had put the statsman to work with 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Other notable performances were:
- Hollie Grima (Knox) again showed her class, this time in a loss to NW Tasmania with 35 points and 17 rebounds.
- Ballarat Lady Miner Chantal Allgood had a quality outing against the Spectres totalling 22 points @ 67% to go along with six rebounds in a 20-point win.
- In a quality shootout at Frankston on Sunday both Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe and Crista Hays led their teams with Kate scoring 32 points, which included 8/12 from three-point range and Crista compiling 30 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.