Result: ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens (79) are defeated by The Northern Group Tauranga Whai (84)
The Queens started the night out firing opening with a deep two before the Whai quickly responded. Charlisse Leger-Walker drove hard into the paint for back to back layups, helping the Queens build a six-point lead. Both sides brought the defensive pressure with steals at either end. The Whai came out strong in the second quarter quickly closing the gap and levelling the scores at 23 all before eventually taking the lead. Taylor Mikesell found her rhythm from beyond the arc knocking down back to back triples, but the Whai stayed hot with strong finishes in the paint and big threes of their own. Emme Shearer added a smooth fadeaway to keep the contest tight, with the Queens holding a narrow 38–36 lead at halftime.
Shearer opened the second half with a turnaround two and drawed the foul, while Charlisse made big plays on both ends to build the Queens momentum with steals and easy layups. Hailey Van Lith also showcased some trick plays as she had defenders spinning in circles, but Whai continued to creep closer, eventually taking a two-point lead heading into the final quarter 63–61. TheWhai held onto their lead before the Queens fought back to level things at 70 all with five minutes remaining. The lead continued to change but within the final two minutes the Whai grabbed it back. Krystal Leger-Walker brought the pace for the Queens with rapid plays, while Charlisse delivered a huge block to keep the Queens in contention. But it wasn't enough to stop Whai who took the win 79-84.
Leading Players
Tokomanawa Queens: Charlisse Leger-Walker (31pts, 8reb, 4ast), Taylor Mikesell (23pts, 6reb), Jacinta Monroe (12pts, 8reb)
Tauranga Whai: Emme Shearer (22pts, 5reb, 3ast), Laina Snyder (19pts, 12reb, 4ast), Patty Brossmann (14pts, 16reb, 2ast)
MVP Votes:
TBA
Rapid League game:
Result: Tokomanawa Queens (29) are defeated by Tauranga Whai (32)
Whai opened the scoring from the free-throw line but both sides took time to find their rhythm in a low scoring first quarter, with Whai attacking the paint and earning plenty of trips to the line. Patty Brossmann kicks off the second quarter with a triple as the contest remains close. The scores stayed within two points for most of the quarter. Grace Hunter comes up with a massive block in the dying seconds to finish the half, with both sides at 15 all coming into halftime.
The Queens came out firing after halftime with a slick cut and dish helping them edge ahead by three before Carla Pitman answered back with a deep triple to keep Whai within distance. Pitman also opened the final quarter with another three putting Whai up by 1pt. With just 11.8 seconds remaining the Whai’s lead of 1pts (29–28) was quickly gone as the Queens levelled the score with 11.3 seconds on the clock, sending the game into overtime. The Whai quickly answered in the beginning of overtime to eventually secure the thriller win.
Leading Players
Tokomanawa Queens: Nahala Toeleiu (11pts, 2reb), Hana Lacey-Rameka (7pts, 4reb, 1ast)
Tauranga Whai: Shamar Broughton (11pts, 1reb), Carla Pitman (9pts, 5reb, 4ast)
Rapid League MVP Votes:
TBA
