The Queens have been in every title game in all three Tauihi season's but haven't reached the heights of the inaugural year where they took home the crown. They've revamped the roster while bringing back the majority of their core but the question remains if this roster stability will lead the Queens back to a coronation ceremony?
The Queens roll into 2025 with elite guard play, proven size at both front‑court spots, and a deep wing group that can toggle between small‑ball and power line‑ups. With Head Coach Tania Tupu at the helm gunning for the Queens 4th straight finals experience and an experienced staff in support, the off season build points to a top‑tier defence and a half‑court offence that can punish switches through pace‑and‑space or fire the ball down to the block for post touches that will have plenty of shooting to ensure their is space to operate.
Projected identity
Two‑guard engine: creators and shooters in Kristy Wallace, Bec Cole and Riley Lupfer where the offense will keep defenses on their toes with multiple initiators and finishers
Switchable wings: Stella Beck, Jihyun Park, Briarley Rogers give length and versatility on defense, opening up opportunites in transition off the glass or live ball turnovers. the Trio
Rim presence: Penina Davidson anchored by Lou Brown/Josie Trousdell for rebounding and interior scoring. Brown and Davidson will look to hit the ground running with their interior partnership on both ends
Quick Facts
Average height: ~183 cm (6'0")
Tallest Timber: Davidson (190), Brown (190)
| Player | Pos | Ht (cm) | Ht (ft/in) | Age | Nat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kristy Wallace | Combo G | 180 | 5'11" | 29 | AUS |
| Bec Cole | SG | 178 | 5'10" | 33 | AUS |
| Riley Lupfer | SG | 178 | 5'10" | 27 | USA |
| Stella Beck | F | 183 | 6'0" | 30 | NZ |
| Lou Brown | PF | 190 | 6'3" | 30 | AUS |
| Penina Davidson | C | 190 | 6'3" | 30 | NZ |
| Jihyun Park | SF | 188 | 6'2" | 25 | KOR |
| Josie Trousdell | C | 188 | 6'2" | 31 | NZ |
| Briarley Rogers | Wing | 178 | 5'10" | 24 | NZ |
| Keriana‑Maria Hippolite | Combo G | 169 | 5'7" | 18 | NZ |
| Pahlyss Hokianga | PG | 166 | 5'5" | 17 | NZ |
| Nahala Toeleiu | SG | 178 | 5'10" | 15 | NZ |
Kristy Wallace - Combo Guard, 180 cm (AUS)
Primary initiator as a facilitator. Slashes, finds shooters and competes at the point of attack. Extremely versatile with a high basketball IQ and excellent court vision. If her three point shot is falling the offense will have a high ceiling.
Bec Cole - Shooting Guard, 178 cm (AUS)
Shot‑maker and secondary creator. Works well off staggers and hand‑offs but her wealth of experience will be just as valuable. A knock down shooter who can top 20 points with ease, will slide right into the rotation as a creator for herself and others.
Riley Lupfer - Shooting Guard, 178 cm (USA)
Floor‑spacer with deep range. Opens the lane for slips and short rolls off the dribble with her shooting ability. Coming off a NBL1 all time single game scoring record of 55 points in the most recent season is a testament to her ability to go Nuclear, but unlike US warships in the 80's we're happy to see her on our shores.
Keriana‑Maria Hippolite - Combo Guard, 169 cm (NZ)
Energetic guard who can change pace and pressure the ball when the import trio needs a blow.
Pahlyss Hokianga- Point Guard, 166 cm (NZ)
Lead‑guard traits with burst in transition. Poaching her from the Whai is a coup for the developmental side but it remains to be seen if Hokianga will be able to wrest away minutes from a talented import trio.
Nahala Toeleiu - Shooting Guard, 178 cm (NZ)
The teenager joins the squad as part of the wider group. Projects as a two with good length offering situational wing depth. Still just 15 years old, the year 11 student will look to soak up knowledge.
Stella Beck - Wing, 183 cm (NZ)
The captain, the prototypical Queen who has virtually every record the team has to offer. A perfect 'glue gal' who can connect line‑ups while offering timely scoring and excellent rebounding while guarding multiple positions.
Jihyun Park - Small Forward, 188 cm (KOR)
Length and size on the perimeter whose mid range game is always a threat. Can excel as a point forward with her facilitating skills but may have more value for the Queens as a finisher on the weak side.
Lou Brown - Power Forward, 190 cm (AUS)
Physical presence on the glass with pick‑and‑pop capability. She was dominant at times but will look to find a greater level of freedom now that she won't have to carry the complete load while her rebounding will be dominant if not league best again.
Penina Davidson — Centre, 190 cm (NZ)
Anchor big. Post seals, defensive rebounding and rim protection. A coup of a free agent signing who will be a dominant presence down low. Great finisher around the rim who is underrated as a passer when drawing extra attention.
Josephine Trousdell — Centre, 188 cm (NZ)
Reliable interior depth; touch around the rim and box‑out habits. She brings great length and has always been know for her getting her hustle on. Look for her to contribute defensively with consistency while chipping in with opportunistic offense.
Briarley Rogers - Wing, 178 cm (NZ)
Two‑way wing who runs lanes and spaces corners. Will look to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.
Jyordanna Davey - Forward, 187 cm (NZ)
Mobile four who can screen, dive and defend in space.
Starters: Wallace, Cole, Lupfer, Brown, Davidson
Primary bench: Beck, Park, Trousdell, Davey
Situational/energy: Rogers, Hippolite
Developmental RL group: Hokianga‑Heather, Toeleiu
Closing groups can tilt to defence (Park and Beck in for switchable lineups; Lupfer and Cole for scoring) or spacing (all the shooters around high‑low action for Brown/Davidson).
Spacing around the five: Can the shooting volume from Cole, Lupfer and Beck consistently open post touches for Davidson and Brown?
Who can box them out: Speaking of that low post duo, by combining Davidson and Brown they may have the most formidable rebounding combo in the league, putting second chance points on the menu every Queens game this season.
Who starts and who finishes: With a ton of options Coach Tupu will need to decide what lineup works best. But look for the closing groups to see where her trust lies.
Lupfer’s three‑point gravity reshaping match‑ups and late‑clock options.
Park’s two‑way versatility allowing bigger switchable line‑ups without losing spacing.
Head Coach: Tania Tupu
Assistant Coaches: Melanie Bennett, Sam Twomey, Adam “Buzz” Crawford
Team Manager/GM: Walter Jeremiah Taulelei
Physio: Jay Maote‑Breen
Masseuse: Tyler Ng
Team Support: Jasmine Lee Morris
The blueprint is clear: guards create advantages, shooters punish help, bigs control the paint. If the perimeter shooting tracks early and the frontcourt own the glass, the Queens project as a Final 4 calibre team with upside to chase a top‑two seed. The early schedule will be about establishing turnover control and rotation rhythm around the Wallace–Cole–Davidson core.
Ceiling: Home final contender
Floor: Solid playoff team leaning on defence and experience
Most likely: The best rebounding team in the league with a top‑two defence that will fuel a high octane offense for a squad that is will overwhelm teams that can't keep up. Look for the Queens to maintain their streak of championship game appearances.
