Result: Northern Group Tauranga Whai (75) are defeated by ProcureX Mainland Pouākai (90)
In this particular outing, the visiting Pouākai would be too strong for the Whai to handle. The first quarter would give Mainland a 2 point lead against the defending champions while the second quarter would be the deciding factor of the match. The Whai's shot weren't hitting while the Pouākai found success with Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Mckenna knocking down shots from deep. Heading into the half, the Whai would be facing a 14 point deficit. The product of a 20-8 second quarter in favour of the visitors. From there, both teams' scoring would step up, but for the Whai, the early deficit would be too much to overcome. The Pouākai kept up their barrage from 3pt land and were able to keep the lead until the final minute.
Leading Players:
Northern Group Tauranga Whai: Laina Snyder (18p, 8r, 4a, 3s, 1b), Emme Shearer (17p, 8r, 2a, 2s), Patty Brossmann (13p, 10r, 2a, 2s)
ProcureX Mainland Pouākai: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (28p, 5r, 3a), Mckenna Dale (24p, 8r, 5a), Mikayla Vaughn (11p, 8r, 3a)
MVP Votes:
TBD
Rapid League game:
Result: Northern Group Tauranga Whai (19) are defeated by ProcureX Mainland Pouākai (29)
The highlight of the game would, without a doubt, be a buzzer beating shot from Carla Pitman to end the first quarter. An impressive halfcourt heave that would help give the home side a four point lead heading into the second quarter. The Pouākai would cut into the lead by one after another low-scoring quarter by both sides. Down 12-9, the visiting Pouākai would sneak closer to the lead in the 3rd quarter and turn that deficit into a single point. The fourth quarter was extremely one-sided. The Pouākai would drop in 13 points while holding the Whai to just 2 points
Leading Players:
Northern Group Tauranga Whai: Eva Langton (5p, 3r, 1a, 1s, 1b), Carla Pitman (5p, 1r), Shamar Broughton (4p, 5r, 2a, 2s)
ProcureX Mainland Pouākai: Rebekah Frisbry-Smith (10p, 5r, 2a, 1b), Sari Mowbray (8p, 2r, 2a, 1s), Ava Jones (5p, 3r)
Rapid League MVP Votes:
Rebekah Frisby-Smith (Pouākai) - 10
Sari Mowbray (Pouākai) - 7
Eva Langton (Whai) - 5
Ava Jones (Pouākai) - 4
Carla Pitman (Whai) - 2
Shamar Broughton (Whai) - 2
