Loyal Borchet has the “real X-factor” to get job done this season

Steadfast local player Aimee Borchet has re-signed with the Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants for the 2023 NBL1 season off the back of an impressive first year in the league.

Borchet ramped up minutes toward the end of the season, showing what hard work and dedication looks like, and now she indicated she is more than ready for a second run at top eight.

The 185cm forward/centre, has developed through the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association junior ranks, starting her senior basketball career in 2014 as a 15-year-old and is now into her ninth season domestically.

She proved her talent last season and said moving into the NBL1 competition was not what she expected but felt she “picked it up really well”.

“I played to the best of my ability and you know, bigger and better things to come in the new season — it’s very exciting” she said.

“I feel 100 per cent way more confident after playing a season now. Having one-year experience now, we can build on that as a new team — we will have new players next season, so that’s the challenge of it.”

Several women’s players will not be playing next season either because of injury, moving out of town or other commitments.

Borchet is currently playing in the CBC division one team in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association’s domestic season and engaging in one-on-one sessions with ex-Giants player and coach Marcus Taylor to prepare for the next season.

“I am also going to the gym and doing F45 so I’m definitely trying to keep my fitness up. I’ve been told next year is going to be bigger so I have to be stronger and fitter and mentally prepared, so I’m doing everything that I can to be ready for that first game,” she said.

Head coach Rob Thomson said the power forward was a “real X-factor” for the team.
“She came off the bench last year and played really well and by the end of the season she was in our starting five. She’s doing everything right off the court in regards to getting her body right and her fitness,” he said.

“The thing I like about Aimee is she’s quite versatile. She can play against the bigs, but you can then put her on some of the guards as well because she’s got a long reach — so all of a sudden that makes the guards have to shoot over.

“We can just use that ability to plug the holes where we need.”

The player has been with the club since the women’s division one side began competing in the WA Basketball League in 2018, signify the team’s homegrown talent.