BNZ Northern Kāhu
If you THINK the Kāhu was going to take a R3 loss to the Pouākai laying down THEN you don't know how coach Jody Cameron ticks. Make no mistake, the Kāhu took the loss in Christchurch personally and they were out to ensure the visiting Pouākai felt the full brunt of redemption. The 76-50 win was clinical, at both ends of the court, and it was super physical with both Tahlia Tupaea and McKenzie Forbes told to settle down numerous times. The takeaway was clear ... the Kāhu don't like losing!
ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai
If you THINK the Pouākai were on the up after a couple of wins THEN say hello to a tough away-home double. After celebrating a memorable win over the Kāhu in R3, the feeling was vastly different on Sunday night in R4 after suffering losses to the Kāhu (away) and the Hoiho (home). The loss at Cowles Stadium to the Hoiho was particularly brutal given the Pouākai led by as much as 15 points.
Southern Hoiho
If you THINK the Hoiho were content with a R3 win over the Whai THEN it didn't stop coach Todd Marshall from shaking things up with Chelsea D'Angelo replacing Ahlise Hurst in the starting five. The move had been brewing for a few weeks with Hurst unable to find consistency, while D'Angelo has arguably been the Hoiho's best two-way player. The change worked with both Hurst and D'Angelo playing pivotal roles in the Hoiho's win in Christchurch which sets the stage for a return trip to Tauranga to visit the Whai where we'll see if the lineup stays as is.
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
If you THINK the Whai were going to be a contender this season after recruiting so strongly THEN you might be reassessing after a run of four losses has them on the bottom of the ladder and looking more like pretenders. Yes, injuries have been a factor with star Mikayla Cowling still yet to take the court and Morgan Yaeger succumbing to injury in her first quarter of action. But the Whai have some concerns to address with too many defensive lapses and some structure issues offensively. It will be fascinating to see how they bounce back in R5 with a double against the Kāhu (road) and Hoiho (home) set to test them even further.
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
If you THINK the Queens would be an easier proposition to score against inside the paint without Tamari Key (ankle) patrolling the area THEN you might be underestimating the defensive class of Jordan Horston and Lou Brown. Between the two Lady Vols alum, it was a block party against the Whai with Horston (4 blocks) and Brown (3 blocks) licking their lips every time a player attacked the basket despite missing the presence of Key.
