The Pouākai are coming off a successful season where they found their way back to the finals and secured home court advantage for the semi-final before bowing out despite having a double-digit lead with less than a quarter to play. As they look to improve on last season's finish they've poached a few members of last season's champs to get to the next step on the ladder, but will the coaching and talent infusion be enough to take that step?
The Pouākai look big, versatile, and physical. With legitimate size across the front court (with Abigail Fogg (193 cm), Charlotte Whittaker (191 cm), Esra McGoldrick (188 cm) at the top of that list) who will play alongside proven wings, Alex Stojkovic’s group can win the paint, control the glass, and still space the floor through shooters like Taylor Mikesell, Morgan Yaeger and McKenna Dale. But what they will look to do most is push the pace and let it fly from deep, as Alex Stojkovic looks to implement his pace and space system that was so successful a season ago as he used it to guide the Whai to their inaugural title. Expect that pace to become their‑first identity with enough defence to slow down the opposition and enough depth to keep line‑ups fresh. The lineup isn't quite settled with a late restricted player swap out, but the roster as it stands promises improved form.
Projected identity
Own the glass: multiple plus rebounders; second‑chance points and quick outlets that fuel the pace and space game that will be initiated with consistency
Pressure and pace in: guards push at all times but especially off of live ball turnovers; wings run wide then look to bomb away with high volume from deep before the defense sets.
Match‑up flexibility: play big with dual towers, or go mobile and place shooting all over the court while looking to lift the pace.
Quick facts
Height range: 155–193 cm
Average front‑court height: 189 cm
| Player | Pos | Ht (cm) | Ht (ft/in) | DOB | Age | Nat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Mikesell | Guard | 178 | 5'10" | 1999-09-30 | 25 | USA |
| Morgan Yaeger | Guard | 175 | 5'9" | 1998-04-18 | 27 | AUS |
| Olivia O’Neill | Guard | 175 | 5'9" | 2000-09-10 | 25 | NZ |
| Emma Rogers | Guard | 177 | 5'10" | 2007-11-08 | 17 | NZ |
| Kavanah Lene | Guard | 175 | 5'9" | 2006-04-21 | 19 | NZ |
| Abigail Fogg | Forward | 193 | 6'4" | 1994-03-31 | 31 | CAN |
| Charlotte Whittaker | Forward | 191 | 6'3" | 2000-08-12 | 25 | NZ |
| Esra McGoldrick | Forward | 188 | 6'2" | 1999-04-24 | 26 | NZ |
| Marena Whittle | Forward | 180 | 5'11" | 1994-01-28 | 31 | AUS |
| Mckenna Dale | Forward | 183 | 6'0" | 1999-06-16 | 26 | NZ |
| Hana Lacey‑Rameka | Forward | 185 | 6'1" | 2005-05-25 | 20 | NZ |
| Ava Jones | Forward | 183 | 6'0" | 2009-02-10 | 16 | NZ |
| Hannah Toli | Forward | 182 | 6'0" | 2006-04-24 | 19 | NZ |
| Emilia Ainley | Forward | 155 | 5'1" | 2010-01-13 | 15 | NZ |
Taylor Mikesell - Guard, 178 cm (USA)
High‑level shooting threat who bends coverages off pin‑downs and hand‑offs. Opens space for post entries and short rolls, and punishes late switches with quick‑trigger threes. Her gravity will distort defenses but if she is given space the three's will rain.
Morgan Yaeger - Guard, 175 cm (AUS)
Secondary handler who can initiate sets, hit feet‑set threes, and defend either guard spot. Comfortable in two‑guard line‑ups. When she returned to the Whai lineup is when they found their end of season form, as she became the engine for an offense that was tough to match. Look for her to be the primary initiator.
Oliva O’Neill - Guard, 175 cm (NZ)
Competitive on‑ball defender and tempo setter; keeps the ball moving and gets paint touches. Will struggle with switches against true bigs but can defend up a position when needed.
Emma Rogers - Guard, 177 cm (NZ)
Wing‑sized guard who runs lanes and spaces corners; development minutes with upside as she prepares for an NCAA career.
Kavanah Lene - Guard, 175 cm (NZ)
Slasher profile; adds athleticism and energy to second units. Has starred at the junior level and will look to bring scoring and solid rebounding to her minutes.
Abigail Fogg - Centre, 193 cm (CAN)
Power post with length. Deep‑seal scorer, high‑point rebounder, and rim protector who can anchor drop coverage or show‑and‑recover. Solid height in the post that will be depended on for a consistent presence. Solid scoring with great efficiency from the paint and from deep will keep defenses on their toes. Her speed in transition will contribute to the team's newly implemented style and her wealth of experience will be called upon throughout the season.
Charlotte Whittaker - Forward/Centre, 191 cm (NZ)
Four/five who can face up to display touch from mid‑range. Will need to use size on the glass while playing vertical at the rim with the ability to finish through contact. She comes back to Canterbury after starting her professional career in France and will offer toughness and a relentless motor on the glass.
Esra McGoldrick - Forward, 188 cm (NZ)
Mobile stretch‑forward who sprints the floor, changes ends quickly, and guards in space. Can lock down the paint with excellent shot blocking ability and looks to punish switches on the other end, taking slow footed bigs off the bounce or imposing her will against smaller players on the block. Has become a consistent scorer and showed off excellent shooting with rising volume a season ago.
Marena Whittle - Forward/Wing, 180 cm (AUS)
Has the skills to be a top flight scorer with MVP talent but may be asked to glue lineups together with her multi-faceted skill set. Rebounds really well for her position, defends multiple positional match‑ups, and keeps the ball moving into good shots. Her rebounding will be key and expect the ball to find her if tough buckets are needed.
Mckenna Dale - Forward, 183 cm (NZ)
Reliable 3‑and‑D wing/forward; strong cutter and transition finisher, plus a committed defensive communicator. Her quick trigger from the wing warps defenses towards her side of the court and that gravity opens up opportunities all over the court. Excellent defender who uses grit to defend up and quick hands and feet to defend down. Championship experience will be called upon to get this club to the next level.
Hana Lacey‑Rameka - Forward, 185 cm (NZ)
Brings a physical presence; boxes out, screens with force, and provides second‑effort plays. An MVP at age group level who will look to take advantage of opportunities as they come.
Ava Jones - Forward, 183 cm (NZ)
Size on the wing; developing shot and switchable defence across 2–4. The youngest member of an iconic basketballing family who will look to spread her wings in Rapid and when called upon for Tauihi.
Hannah Toli - Forward, 182 cm (NZ)
Energy forward; runs hard, contests on the weak‑side, who can crash the offensive glass.
Emilia Ainley -Forward, 155 cm (NZ)
Developmental pathway prospect who may get a few looks in Rapid League.
Starters: Mikesell, Yaeger, McGoldrick, Whittaker, Fogg
Primary bench: Whittle, Dale, O’Neill, Lacey‑Rameka
Situational/energy/ RL group: Jones, Toli, Rogers, Lene, Ainley
Closing groups can tilt to defence (Whittle + McGoldrick around Fogg/Whittaker) or space and pace (Mikesell with Yaeger/O’Neill and a single‑big look).
Spacing around the post: Can the guard/wing three‑point volume stay high enough to create single‑coverage for Fogg/Whittaker?
Turnover control vs pressure: With the ball in two‑guard sets, can the Pouākai stay tidy late in quarters? Who will get the keys to drive and who will be on the weak side when the squad needs buckets?
New Coach / New System: Alex Stojkovic brings his system of space and pace down south after a championship in Tauranga. Will the Pouākai hit the ground running? Or will the implementation be slower than the Cantabrian fans would hope?
Mikesell’s gravity — if her shooting demands top‑lock coverage, the whole floor opens up.
McGoldrick’s two‑way motor — sprints and rotations that turn stops into easy points.
Bench punch from Whittle/Dale — steady two‑way minutes that maintain pressure when starters sit while lifting scoring and energy levels.
Head Coach: Alex Stojkovic
Assistant Coaches: Helen Williamson, Holly Parish, Dilshan Muthunaidelage
Physio: Lidia Belles
Team Manager: Bob Weatherford
Team Manager: Molly MacPherson
Mainland’s size + shooting formula should travel. If the guards keep turnover numbers down and the big rotation controls the boards, the Pouākai profile as a Final 4 threat with genuine title upside.
Ceiling: Home final contender
Floor: Squad that wins with defence and boards while perimeter consistency fails to fire
Most likely: Top‑four squad with a focus on pace that leads to high offensive efficiency with tough defense that makes them a final four team.
