Southern Hoiho (81) defeated by The Northern Group Taurunga Whai (83)
Shearer’s buzzer-beater breaks the hearts of the Hoiho and home fans at the death
Game Recap:
The Taurunga Whai survived a furious Hoiho comeback to pinch an 83-81 thriller at the Edgar Centre, sealed by Emme Shearer’s baseline jumper on the horn off a Jessica McDowell-White dime. Whai led by as many as 16 in the third before Hoiho roared back behind Paige Bradley’s playmaking and a stream of paint touches for Jessie Edwards and Lillian Dart. Dart tied it at 81–81 with a cold-blooded triple inside the final 10 seconds, but after the timeout McDowell-White found Shearer, who rose over the close-out for the winner. Whai’s starting unit carried the load, Shearer was electric all night, McDowell-White controlled tempo, and Hannah Hank/Laina Snyder gave them timely interior scoring and extra possessions. Hoiho’s resilience stood out: Edwards battled to a double-double, Bradley flirted with a triple-double, and Dart punished Whai at the stripe to fuel the rally. In a playoff-style finish, Whai’s poise on the final possession proved the difference.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Southern Hoiho - Jessie Edwards (17 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST) Lillian Dart (18 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST) Paige Bradley (11 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST)
Whai – Emme Shearer (26 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST) Jessica McDowell-White (14 PTS, 4 REB, 12 AST) Hannah Hank (15 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST)
SKY BROADBAND RAPID LEAGUE
Southern Hoiho (44) defeat Whai Basketball Rapid League (40)
Langton and Gallaher steady the Hoiho as they close out a gritty finish in Dunedin
Game Recap:
The Southern Hoiho held their nerve late to secure a 44-40 win over Whai in a tightly contested Rapid League encounter. After trading baskets through the opening quarters, the game remained deadlocked at 32-32 heading into the final frame. Clutch scoring from Alana Paewai and Samara Gallaher helped the Hoiho edge ahead midway through the fourth, before Abby Harris and Lillian Dart combined for key buckets to keep Whai at bay down the stretch. Tayla Dalton and Jade Kirisome led the late Whai surge, but a composed defensive stand in the final minute sealed the victory for the home side.
Both teams struggled to find rhythm offensively but compensated with high-effort defense, the Hoiho forcing key turnovers while dominating the rebound stats 23-14. It was a confidence-boosting win for Hannah Beede’s squad, who snapped Whai’s momentum and protected home court in a low-scoring grind.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Southern Hoiho: Alana Paewai (10 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST) Samara Gallaher (7 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST) Abby Harris (4 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST)
Whai: Tayla Dalton (15 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST) Jade Kirisome (14 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST)
