Solent Stars' much-changed junior women's team tipped off the new basketball season with a satisfying 67-48 victory over Ipswich Bobcats.

With Alice Walton now playing and studying in the USA, Stevie Ellis and Natalie Broom at university and Rosie Chase graduating to the senior squad, Stars recuited heavily during the summer.

Former cadet players Emily Brookfield, Becky Carr, Kaylee Long and Cathy Bonter have been elevated into the junior ranks, supplemented by new signings Gemma Cleal and Becky Lush.

Early-season cobwebs were quickly brushed away when vice-captain Rachel Almond nailed a big three-pointer to bring Solent to within a point of Ipswich's early lead. A minute later a well executed jump shot from Jodi Jerram put Solent ahead for the first time only for captain Holly Over to collect her third foul and be withdrawn prematurely.

Even so, Solent ended the first quarter 27-16 up and, by the interval they had stretched the lead to 14 points. Ipswich hit back at the start of the second half, but reliable shooting from Brookfield and eager play by Lush pushed Solent further ahead, 56-38, by the close of the third quarter.

Foul trouble for Jerram, Nicki Scrivener, Danni Flynn and Over gave Ipswich a glimmer of hope, but Solent ran out worthy winners.

Solent scorers: Nicola Scrivener 25, Emily Brookfield 15, Jodi Jerram 7,Kaylee Long 6, Holly Over 4, Danielle Flynn 3, Rachel Almond 3, Chloe McEwan 2.

l This Saturday Solent entertain last season's national play-off finalists Northampton at Millbrook Community School (12.30pm).