Blaze coach Jason Maskell’s rallying for a packed stadium at Bolton Park on Saturday at 6pm.

“This weekend’s the big one,” Maskell said.

“Bathurst are shaping up as the hot contender, we’d like a good home crowd.

“Now we’ve got the momentum, teams are throwing everything they can at us.”

Wagga has been conceding too many points for Maskell’s comfort, scraping through with narrow wins on several occasions this season.

“We need to sharpen up, we seem to be defending a lot of three-point shots,” he said.

“That’s extending our defence.”

Blaze captain Nicole McPherson was an anchor in defence last week in the Blaze’s trifecta of wins.

McPherson’s been sick with the flu, but she’s determined to play on Saturday.

A number of Blaze players have been coming into form.

“Brooke Walsh shot 17 points, it was a breakout game for her (against Coffs Harbour),” Maskell said.

Caren Hugo made a welcomed return to the court last week in Minto.

Hugo has been nursing a shoulder injury.

“She’s pushing through, and it’s coming good,” Maskell said.