The Week That Was
The round started with a Halloween Massacre as the BNZ Northern Kāhu locked down a Northern Group Tauranga Whai squad that had previously been able to count on an explosive offense. But the Kāhu made sure that wasn't the case on Halloween as they held the visitors to 17% shooting and just 12 total field goals (7 two's, 5 three's) in a game where Mikayla Cowling made her season debut. But the rust was palpable and despite her addition just Ashely Joens (15pts) and Laina Snyder(10pts) found double figures for a Whai squad that struggled in the halfcourt all night long. The defensive prowess of the Kāhu made up for a choppy offensive performance where IImar'I Thomas (22pts, 8rbs) and Tahlia Tupea (17pts, 6rbs) carried the load for most of the night, but were joined in double figures by import Megan Mullings in her best game in a season where she is yet to look close to full strenghth. Overall the Kāhu were just too much for the Whai as they dominated the paint (36 points in the paint with 22 2nd chance points) behind a collective effort that found little resistance from their closets neighbours as the won 81-48.
While the beatdown wouldn't have been pleasant, the good news for the Whai was that they were going to get right back on the hardwood in the next game up, this one at their new home away from home in Taupō less than 48 hours later against a Southern Hoiho team that had previously displayed an adept ability to defend this Whai squad. Thankfully for Whai fans, the squad packed their jumpshots this time around enabling the team to get off to a much quicker start as 6 players hit the scoresheet in the opening quarter, despite the depth of scoring it was the Hoiho who took a 1 point lead into the 2nd quarter following some late Chelsea D'Angelo free throws. But as the game went on the talent of the Whai came to the forefront and despite solid efforts from imports Samantha Bowman (12pts, 16rbs, 3stls) and Paige Bradley (22pts, 4ast) the depth and size of the Whai took its toll on a lineup where only 6 players found the court for more than 9 minutes. Ashley Joens (29ts, 13rbs, 2ast, 2stls) led the way for a team where all 5 starters scored at lest 10 points as the insertion of Mikayla Cowling into the lineup and Mckenna Dale into the starting group has delivered the balance this team was missing as it reversed a 5 game skid to grab their second win of the year 90-71.
The last game of the round between the visiting ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens and Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai would prove to be the closest contest of the week, although it didn't look that way when the Queens build a 13 point lead heading into the 4th quarter. The Queens looked in control as their starting unit dominated the majority of play. But the Pouākai hung tough and huge a huge fourth quarters from McKenzie Forbes (26pts, 5-12 3pfg), Mikhaela Cann (14pts, 6rbs, 5ast), Sharne Robati (13pts, 5rbs, 4ast) and a returned from injury Cassandra Brown (13pts, 6 rbs) started to put the Queens in an uncomfortable position. But the Queens were still up 78-71 and would have been feeling confident when Stella Beck fouled out of the game with 3:47 remaining. That's when the wheels fell off and a composed Queens side was suddenly rushed offensively puttering down the home stretch as they were outscored 16-5 as the Pouākai stormed to a 89-83 victory. All 5 starters for the Queens had reached double figures, led by a near triple double for Jordan Horston (24pts, 10rbs, 9ast) but a lack of input from the bench (0 points in just over 18 total minutes) left the team without answers when those starters ran dry down the stretch.
Worth Mentioning
Kāhu Defense - We all know the Kāhu can score (2nd in scoring offense, 1st if FG% and 3ptFG%) but teams will be wary of that defensive effort against a Whai squad who was held to its lowest total ever as it copped its worst ever defeat. This Kāhu squad continuing to go about their business in a way that continues to put the rest of the league on notice and is now holding teams under 70 points per game with a scoring margin difference of +12.33, more than 10 points better than 2nd.
IImar'I Thomas - On Halloween Thomas became the first player in Tauihi history to score 500 points, doing so on a late free throw. Doing so in a little over two season a testament to the fantastic scoring ability of a player who will leave her mark on the record books before departing. Yeah that's worth mentioning.
Round 6
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai v Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai , Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Thursday 7:30pm
The Whai get to return to the friendly confines of the QEYC to host the Pouākai, seeing them for the first time since an opening round victory on the very same court but both teams look vastly different from round 1. For the home team the insertion of Mikayla Cowling gives a broader depth of talent overall while giving defenses another penetrator to worry about, but questions remain around the how they can deal with pressure as the only true pg in the lineup is still 17 year old Pahlyss Hokianga. Cowling and Ashley Joens are a potent 1-2 punch in the backcourt but I feel the skill of Lara McSpadden down low has yet to be tapped and could present an advantage against the Pouākai. The Mainlanders are unlikely to back down in the post, as their best in the league +5 margin on the glass attests, but they will need to take better care of the ball then they have shown up to this point (-4 turnover margin, last in league) against a Whai squad that leads the league in steals (9.86 per game). McKenzie Forbes is a potent threat offensively but the return of Cassandra Brown may be the most important factor for the Pouākai, as her presence creates a stronger front line while lifting the scoring threat. One thing i expect is points on the board as this game matches up the two teams who give up the most points in the league and allow the highest percentages from beyond the three point line.
Matchup to Watch: Mikayla Cowling v McKenzie Forbes - Cowling is still working her way back to last season's All star 5 form and the athletic profile of Forbes will prove a stern test.
BNZ Northern Kāhu v Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai, Eventfinda Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm
Can the Pouākai beat the Kāhu? Well technically they have already (a 9 point R3 loss to the Pouākai) but that game seemed like a self inflicted wound more than anything the opponents did, evidenced by a 26 point victory when the teams met for a second time and the Mainlanders will need to be at their best to fly into Auckland and pull out a win. On the interior IImar'I Thomas and Penina Davidson will have their work cut out for them as Sharne Robati, Haleigh Reinoehl, Esra McGoldrick and Cassandra Brown make a potent frontcourt lineup to cycle through. The return to the lineup of Brown (8th in the league in scoring and rebounding) in particular will offer a very different look for the visitors this time around. But the big question for the Pouākai will be can they slow down the attack of Thomas and Tahlia Tupaea as the pair have feasted on them so far this season (Thomas averaging 30.5ppg, Tupaea 23.5ppg against the Pouākai this season). Ball security for the Pouākai again going to be paramount to giving them a chance to find victory on the road.
Matchup to Watch - IImar'I Thomas v Cassandra Brown - This will be the first time that Brown has faced the Kāhu this season and her length should make it a bit more difficult for Thomas to dominate with ease.
Southern Hoiho v ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens, Edgar Centre, Sunday 3pm
The Hoiho after losing a game where they were unable to keep pace scoring with the opposition as a poor shooting night from deep (4-15) once again proved to be too much to overcome, much as it was in the very first game of the season when they went down to the Queens by 5 when shooting just 5-32 from deep. Since then the Hoiho offense has found a bit more consistency but the waywardness from deep continues to cause strife, especially on days when Ahlise Hurst goes for a donut, but the work rate is always high to try to make up the difference. The question is will work rate be enough against what should be a motivated queens team that continues to impress as much as it confounds. The Queens boast the highest scoring team in the league (81ppg) giving them a 5 point buffer on paper over the lagging Hoiho (76ppg), but they actually do so while shooting a bit worse from deep (28% 3pfg last in league) While depending on their ability to penetrate the paint to keep the offense moving. Will the Hoiho be able to keep Jordan Horston from driving or keep Lou Brown from receiving deep post catches? or Will the Queens enforce their will on the game despite the high work rate from the Southerners.
Matchup to Watch: Florencia Chagas v Paige Bradley - Two point guards who go about their business with different styles but equally effectively. Chagas using her shooting skill to draw defenders out before using her strength to get into the paint creating for herself and others while Bradley is always looking for the kick out first but when forced to take the scoring load does so very effectively.
All games live on Sky Sport
Rapid League tips off 1 hour before Tauihi tip off
