The undefeated Norths Bears Waratah Championship Men’s and Women’s teams host Illawarra in crucial games at the North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night.

After impressive wins against northern rivals Manly and Hills in the first two rounds of the season, both teams face significant challenges against one of the perennial powers of Waratah basketball as they look to enter the second month of the season with unblemished records.

Under new coach Natalie Stafford, the Bears women have opened their account with polished wins in the first fortnight, with former Opals and WNBL star Renae Camino displaying her class and athleticism in being the game high scorer and key contributor in the two wins.

For the former AIS stand-out, Saturday will pit her against many former junior team-mates, coaches and friends after playing her junior basketball in the Illawarra and she will be keen for another dominant display.

Centre Katherine Rendell produced an outstanding game against a veteran Hills front-line and her rebounding and shot blocking ability will be crucial against the versatile and talented Hawks interior players.

Two-time MVP and 2013 league all-star Nicole How is awaiting an international clearance and if cleared, will provide further depth and versatility in the back court for Coach Stafford.

The Bears men trailed for most of last Saturday’s clash at Hills, but as they have done consistently, stepped up a gear in the final quarter to claim the win and help Norths take home the prestigious Norths/Hills Life Members Cup.

After an extensive pre-season, the Bears have the fitness to ensure they have the firepower late in games to put the foot down and with 2013 league MVP Jarrad Weeks again in scintillating form, Ben Knight’s teams already looms as a genuine championship contender.

Weeks has been nothing short of breathtaking in the opening two games and his ability to connect from range and get to the rim at will will make him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the competition.

On the front-line, evergreen centre Brad Ryan is enjoying working with hard working power forward Emmanuel Adu and teenage swingman Fabijan Krslovic and that tandem make for some match-up problems for opposition defences with their size, strength and ability to score in different ways.

If both teams can claim wins against the Hawks on Saturday, it will be the first time in a decade the two Bears teams have started the season 3-0 and with so much at stake moving into April, a good crowd is expected to support the in-form teams.

Tip-off for the women’s team is 6.30pm, with the men to jump at 8.30pm. The in-form Bears Youth League Men will also be looking to build on an impressive display against Hills last week when they clash with Illawarra at 6.30pm.