ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens (89) Defeated by the Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai (93)
Whittle comes off a scoreless first half to clinch the game at the end
Game Recap:
The Mainland Pouākai complete the double-digit comeback. Pouākai took the game with two seconds left on the clock from a tough and-one by Marena Whittle (16pts) as McKenna Dale (20pts) sealed the game at the line to complete a hard-fought game for the Pouākai. The first quarter started tough for the away team, losing Abigail Fogg early due to eye injury. It looked like the Queens' stifling defence would be too much. Penina Davidson (20pts) helped lead the home team to be up by 18 entering the second half. With the league's second leading scorer in Whittle being held scoreless in the first half, it looked like it would be a mountain for the road team to climb to bring them back into this game.
The Pouākai getting hot from the line helped them pull off a 10-0 run, bringing the game to within single digits with five minutes left to go in the third. Whittle and Dale helped bring the game to within five entering into the final quarter, where it could be anyone's game. The fourth was a slugfest with both teams going for the dagger to seal the game, but not quite being able to create separation with five lead changes in the fourth.
Jihyun Park (18pts) seemed to always have the answer, getting timely buckets to keep the Queens in it and tying the game up at the line with 23 seconds left on the clock. With the clockshot off, Morgan Yaeger (5ast) brings up the ball, time ticking down, she hands it off to Whittle, who showed no fear as she drove to the bucket to finish with a and-one and put another victory onto the Mainland Pouākai's record.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Tokomanawa Queens - Kristy Wallace (21 PTS, 5 REB, 8 AST) Penina Davidson (20 PTS, 10 REB, 1 BLK) Jihyun Park (18 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST)
Mainland Pouākai – Mckenna Dale (20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) Marena Whittle (16 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST) Esra Mcgoldrick (13 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST)
SKY BROADBAND RAPID LEAGUE
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens (41) defeat Yellow i Glass Mainland Pouākai (38)
Queens complete the double-digit comeback
Game Recap:
The Tokomanawa Queens take the three-point overtime victory, completing the comeback behind 13 points from Pahlyss Hokianga-Heather. The Queens came out slow, only scoring four in the first quarter and putting them ten points behind the visiting Pouākai, who managed to keep the double-digit lead right till the final eight seconds of the first half as Hokianga-Heather hits a timely three to put the Queens down by 8, but giving them a glimpse of a comeback. Keriana-Marie Hippolite (7pts) kicked off the second half right where the Queens left off, hitting a quick three to take the lead down to five, with a lead insight the Queens go on a 13 - 0 run to put them right back in the game as Kavanah Lene (9pts) hits a bucket to halt the run but a bad quarter from the Pouākai put them down by two entering into the fourth.
The fourth saw both teams getting hot from the line with timely threes from both sides, keeping the game close as the final buzzer drew closer. Josie Trousdell (5rebs) goes to the line and ties the game for the Queens. With 19 seconds left, the Pouākai ran a play that got Ava Jones (5rebs) to the basket, but a tough miss gave the Queens a chance to call a timeout and run a final play. A close miss from Brooke Basham (10pts) sees the game go into overtime.
A quick trip to the line saw Hippolite give the Queens a lead that they would hold to the final buzzer. Securing a tough-fought comeback in a grind-it-out, rapid league game.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Tokomanawa Queens: Pahlyss Hokianga-Heather (13 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST) Brooke Basham (10 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST)
Mainland Pouākai: Charlotte Whittaker (12 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST) Hana Lacey-Rameka (11 PTS, 2 REB, 2 STL)
