An ownership group in flux left a question mark over the Hoiho's preseason prep, but a late flurry of signings has the core of lineup returning and being joined by a mostly Australian contingent of imports who will look to hit the ground running to make a return to the postseason.
The Hoiho are long, physical, and experienced at the point. Paige Bradley brings steady game control and top flight facilitation, while a towering front‑court of Jessie Edwards and Bec Pizzey gives the Hoiho reliable paint presence at both ends. The forward lineup features Taylah Simmons and Zoe Richards who add a combination of size, switchability and transition punch. With depth across the 2–4 and a promising youth cohort, expect a defence‑first identity with improved spacing if the guards hit from deep with consistency.
Projected identity
Own the paint and glass: Edwards/Pizzey/Richards offer size to close possessions on the boards to initiate transition while generating second‑chance points on the o-boards.
Switchable wings: Simmons/Richards/Jacobs can guard across the arc and run the lanes but can still impact the game when matched up on bigger players.
Tempo through control: Bradley manages pace while Dart, Gallaher, Jacobs and Pavihi offer bursts of energy to put the pedal to the metal, or attack in the half court.
Quick facts
Height range: 170–193 cm
Core strengths: rim protection, rebounding, veteran guard play
| Player | Pos | Ht (cm) | DOB | Age | Nat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paige Bradley | PG | 178 | 15 Feb 1994 | 31 | USA |
| Sammy Gallaher | G | 176 | 06 Aug 1992 | 33 | NZ |
| Claire Jacobs | SG | 183 | 24 Apr 2001 | 24 | AUS |
| Taylah Simmons | Wing | 185 | 03 Jul 1997 | 28 | AUS |
| Zoe Richards | Swing/F | 186 | 04 Oct 1997 | 27 | NZ |
| Eva Langton | F | 183 | 17 Mar 1999 | 26 | NZ |
| Abby Harris | F | 185 | 19 Jun 2004 | 21 | NZ |
| Bec Pizzey | F/C | 190 | 27 Jan 1999 | 26 | NZ |
| Jessie Edwards | C | 193 | 16 Oct 1995 | 29 | AUS |
| Lillian (Lil) Dart | G | 180 | 19 Jan 2004 | 21 | AUS |
| Alana Paewai | G | 170 | 04 Apr 2004 | 21 | NZ |
| Alexa Duff | PG | 178 | 20 Dec 2006 | 18 | NZ |
| Tia Pavihi | G | 180 | 26 Feb 2006 | 19 | NZ |
| Elise Gilbert | G | 176 | 08 May 2006 | 19 | NZ |
| Fayreen Fualau | F | 185 | 16 Feb 1998 | 27 | NZ |
Paige Bradley - Point Guard, 178 cm (USA)
Table‑setter who controls tempo, lives in the paint off ball screens, and organises late‑clock offence. Strong size at the one helps in switching schemes. Has All-Star 5 talent and can hit double figure assist numbers with regularity. She can create for her teammates with ease, and if the new recruits find their feet early Bradley will be a favourite to take the assist title.
Sammy Gallaher - Guard, 176 cm (NZ)
Experienced two‑way guard; reliable feet‑set shooting and defensive positioning. Connects units and keeps turnover count low while bringing energy off the bench. Has been called upon to lift scoring punch and energy of bench units and can find the net from range or attacking the paint.
Claire Jacobs - Shooting Guard, 183 cm (AUS)
Wing‑sized shooter who can rise over contests. Useful in stagger and dribble hand off actions; plus length defensively at the 2/3. Will be called upon for scoring punch off the bounce and has quick hands and solid anticipation to impact the game defensively by getting into passing lanes to turnover the opposition and initiate transition offense.
Lil Dart - Guard, 180 cm (AUS)
Long guard with slashing upside and energy and rebounding from the backcourt. Can do damage off the bounce while slashing to the basket or by facilitating for teammates with plus vision off the pass. Her speed of hand and foot will be impactful defensively, look for her to force liveball turnovers that lead to instant transition opportunities.
Alana Paewai - Guard, 170 cm (NZ)
Change‑of‑pace ball‑handler; point‑of‑attack defence and strong in early‑offence triggers. Solid shooting touch keeps defenses honest but she does the most damage with the ball in hand and will be looking to bounce back physically to have a big impact in '25.
Elise Gilbert - Guard, 176 cm (NZ)
Development guard who runs the floor hard and spaces corners. Defenses will pay the price if they leave her open from beyond the arc.
Alexa Duff - Point Guard, 178 cm (NZ)
Profiles as a lead guard with length; can see over coverage and rebounds her position well. Has been a top level scorer at age level and brings cross code athleticism from the track that is touch to match.
Tia Pavihi - Guard, 180 cm (NZ)
Physical two; adds size at the point of attack and in transition lanes. A plus shooter as a combo guard, also has the skill to get to the rack for the finish or to take the bump and get to the stripe.
Taylah Simmons - Wing, 185 cm (AUS)
Switchable defender with downhill force in transition. Attacks gaps, cuts behind help, and guards across 2–4. Her switchability will be a key trait as she leans on a good amount of professional experience in Europe. Scoring and rebounding is on tap as she looks to lift the Hoiho wing pack.
Zoe Richards - Swing/Forward, 186 cm (NZ)
Mobile combo forward; rim runs, cleans the glass, and can stretch to mid‑range. Versatile piece for big or small line‑ups. The heartbeat of the Hoiho is back to impact every millimeter of the court. Her grit and effort are key to the backline of defense as she looks to finish possessions off the glass. Her size gives her advantage in the post but still has the skill to step outside and knock it down from deep.
Eva Langton - Forward, 183 cm (NZ)
Work‑rate forward who screens with force, boxes out, and provides connective passing from the elbows. Has championship experience (Queens & Whai) and a versatile skillset on both ends of the court who has enough length to play big when needed and enough skill to take advantage of players slower of foot.
Abby Harris - Forward, 185 cm (NZ)
Size on the wing with rebounding focus; developing pick‑and‑pop range who will have impact in Rapid League.
Fayreen Fualau - Forward, 185 cm (NZ)
Physical presence; situational minutes to boost boards and interior defence especially in Rapid League.
Jessie Edwards - Centre, 193 cm (AUS)
Anchor big. Deep‑seal scorer, drop‑coverage rim protector, and high‑volume rebounder who can tilt the possession game. Great experience as a pro will be called upon as she patrols the paint as the last line of defense. Excellent shot blocker who will finish possessions with rebounds, while offensively she can finish over single coverage with the passing skills to punish the double.
Rebecca Pizzey - Forward/Centre, 190 cm (NZ)
Face‑up five with touch and length. Pairs with Edwards for a dual‑tower look or anchors second units. Has extensive Aussie WNBL experience and is a superior rebounder who will be a key piece of the frontcourt rotation.
Starters: Bradley, Jacobs, Simmons, Richards, Edwards
Primary bench: Pizzey, Jacobs, Gallaher, Langton, Dart
Situational/energy: Harris, Duff, Paewai
Developmental RL group: Pavihi, Gilbert
Closing groups can tilt to defence (Richards + Simmons around Edwards) or spacing (Jacobs with Bradley/Gallaher and a single‑big look).
Spacing around the five: Can the guard/wing shooting keep the lane clear for Edwards/Pizzey/Richards post touches?
Turnover control vs pressure: With a veteran PG in Bradley the Hoiho will control the ball, but when the ball is out of her hands can Southern stay tidy late against traps and switching?
Transition defence with size: Can the Hoiho build the wall early to protect the paint when playing big? Or will the wing defence falter allowing paint penetration that bends the defense and puts the backline bigs in foul trouble.
Simmons/Richards/Pizzey as two‑way wings who unlock switch schemes and fast‑break scoring.
Jacobs’ perimeter gravity to punish help and open high‑low options.
Bench stability who will step up off the pine to keep the rebounding edge and find scoring punch when starters rest.
Coach: Todd Marshall
Assistant Coaches: Dean Ruske, Hannah Beede
Physio: Mikayla Rosieur
Team Doctor: Dr Zoe Sole
The Hoiho recipe seems clear: win the paint, guard with effort and purpose, and control tempo. If the shooting tracks and turnovers stay low, the Hoiho project as a team who will fight for a post season spot who have the size to trouble anyone in a half‑court game. The biggest swing factor is perimeter shot‑making - if Jacobs/Gallaher/Bradley hit at volume, Southern’s ceiling rises quickly, if not the offense will falter and the defense will bend.
Ceiling: Final 4 challenger on the back of elite rebounding and rim protection
Floor: Defence‑led side that struggles to find wins as a lack of perimeter consistency develops
Most likely: Physical, top‑half defence with improving spacing through that should seem them in the mix for the post-season.
