LAUREN Brooks believes a place in the play-offs is still achievable for Severn Stars as they bid to beat fourth-placed visitors Surrey Storm tomorrow (7.30pm).

Stars, who headed into their first season in the Vitality Superleague with high hopes of finishing in the top four, are 12 points adrift of Surrey.

But Brooks insists her third-from-bottom side are treating the second half of the campaign as a “fresh start” and reckons “anything can happen” at this stage in the season.

“We have definitely got the ability to turn things around,” said the 22-year-old who can play either at centre or wing defence.

“We are so lucky to have the team we have got as everyone gets on really well but on court we are just starting to get our connections right.

“Things are starting to click and we are starting to show what we can do.

“We can definitely (finish fourth). The league has produced some really unexpected results so far so anything can happen at this stage.

“When we played top of the league (Loughborough Lightning) we were winning until half-time and gave them a real fight.”

Worcester-based Stars have lost seven of their opening 10 games.

But they recorded their first away win last Monday, beating Celtic Dragons 59-50 and Brooks says the result shows they are moving in the right direction.

“I am slightly disappointed with some of our results because we know we can do better,” she said.

“We have got a lot of talent in our team and put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do well.

“It was obviously good to get a win under our belts last Monday but we have yet to produce our best performance.

“We have definitely got more we can do so hopefully by the end of the season we will be putting in more consistent performances.”

Stars suffered a 58-40 defeat to Storm on the opening day of the season in February but Brooks is anticipating a closer contest at the University of Worcester Arena.

“I don’t think we knew what to expect when we first played them. It was a very fresh performance from us,” she added.

“Things have changed a lot since then, not just for us but for Surrey as well.

“And the fact we have been able to watch them against other teams is obviously a huge help.

“They are a tough side as they are a team who have been together for a long time. They are not going to give it to us easily.

“They have also got a very tall shooter so it will be a really difficult match.

“But we are up for it and we can definitely win if we put our minds to it.”