Round Six closes in Porirua on Sunday afternoon as ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens welcome competition-leading Southern Hoiho to Te Rauparaha Arena.
Hoiho arrive as the clear form team of Tauihi after extending their winning streak to six games with another convincing performance against Northern Kāhu on Friday night.
Southern again found contributions throughout the starting group, with Lil Dart leading the scoring, Bec Pizzey producing another highly efficient performance and Paige Bradley continuing to control the game through her playmaking.
The Queens return to the floor after their scheduled Round Five matchup with Kāhu was postponed, with their last completed game remains a narrow loss to Mainland Pouākai.
That result continued a frustrating early stretch for Tokomanawa, who have become increasingly competitive but are still searching for the victory that would reward that improvement.
But there is a significant addition for the Queens this weekend.
Penina Davidson returns to the starting five to join Jacinta Monroe in a frontcourt that now possesses considerably more size and depth, while Charlisse Leger-Walker, Krystal Leger-Walker and Taylor Mikesell provide the perimeter firepower.
The first meeting between these teams produced one of the finishes of the season, with Bradley knocking down a buzzer-beating three to give Hoiho a three-point victory in Dunedin.
Can the Queens finally turn a competitive performance into their first win, or will Hoiho make it seven straight and continue to lock in a finals spot as they set the pace at the top of the table?
When: Sunday 1 November
Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
Rapid League: 2:00pm
Tauihi: 3:00pm
Watch Live: Sky Sport 1 and TikTok LIVE in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else internationally
Commentary: Taylah and Tera
Box Score Here
Buy Tickets Here
The Queens list Krystal Leger-Walker, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Taylor Mikesell, Penina Davidson and Jacinta Monroe as their likely starting five.
Davidson returns to the lineup to give Tokomanawa another experienced interior option alongside Monroe.
Aria Cowley, Ameia Williams, Alaska Rhebok, Jade Kirisome, Hana Lacey-Rameka, Nahala Toeleiu and Grace Hunter make up the Rapid League group.
Hailey Van Lith is unavailable for personal reasons, while Stella Beck and Matangiroa Flavell are not selected.
Hoiho list Paige Bradley, Bec Pizzey, Julie Wojta, Marie Bertholdt and Lil Dart as their likely starting five.
Bertholdt is questionable with an Achilles injury, while the remaining four starters are available.
Zoe Richards, Tia Pavihi, Alexa Duff, Millie Simpson, Abby Harris, Samara Gallaher and Aria Brown make up the Rapid League group.
Kiana Brown is listed as questionable for personal reasons, while Casey Valenti-Paea remains unavailable with a shin injury.
The first meeting delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
Hoiho started strongly in Dunedin and took a narrow advantage into halftime behind the scoring of Dart and Bertholdt.
The Queens responded after the break.
Charlisse Leger-Walker caught fire from beyond the arc, Van Lith attacked the basket and Mikesell helped Tokomanawa take a two-point lead into the final quarter.
From there, neither team could create separation.
Bec Pizzey hit an important three to level the game late before the scores reached 81-all inside the final seconds.
The Queens had the first opportunity to win it, but Charlisse’s three-point attempt missed.
Hoiho secured the rebound, advanced the ball following a timeout and put the final possession in Bradley’s hands.
She delivered.
Bradley rose from beyond the arc and knocked down the game-winner as time expired to give Southern the three-point victory.
Leading Players
Hoiho: Paige Bradley (17P, 3R, 9A), Lil Dart (20P, 3R, 6A), Marie Bertholdt (16P, 7R, 3A)
Queens: Charlisse Leger-Walker (32P, 3R, 4A), Hailey Van Lith (20P, 7R, 3A), Taylor Mikesell (11P, 3R, 5A)
Hoiho extended their winning streak to six games with another strong home performance on Friday night.
Southern established control through their defence and interior scoring before Dart took over offensively.
The Hoiho guard produced her highest-scoring performance of the season, repeatedly attacking the basket while also finding opportunities from the perimeter.
Pizzey continued her outstanding efficiency around the rim, while Bradley again kept the offence organised and generated quality opportunities for those around her.
Kāhu continued to compete behind Talya Brugler, Megan Mullings, Tayla Dalton and Erin Bollmann, but Southern maintained control through the second half and pulled away to complete another double-digit victory.
Leading Players
Hoiho: Lil Dart (33P, 6R, 5A), Bec Pizzey (23P, 5R, 3A), Paige Bradley (4P, 5R, 11A)
Kāhu: Talya Brugler (16P, 6R), Tayla Dalton (16P, 2R, 2A), Megan Mullings (14P, 5R)
Tokomanawa’s most recent completed game was another narrow defeat, this time against Mainland Pouākai.
The Queens again showed their ability to compete with the league’s leading teams and remained within one possession deep into the closing stages.
Monroe delivered her best game since joining the competition, giving Tokomanawa a major interior presence with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Charlisse added 19 points, six rebounds and seven assists, while Krystal continued to run the offence with 15 points and 12 assists.
The difference came from new Pouākai signing Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, who caught fire from deep to finish with eight three-pointers.
Tokomanawa remained within striking distance until the final seconds but could not find the equaliser late to stay winless to start to the season.
Leading Players
Queens: Jacinta Monroe (22P, 12R, 2A), Charlisse Leger-Walker (19P, 6R, 7A), Krystal Leger-Walker (15P, 5R, 12A)
Pouākai: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (30P, 5R, 2A), McKenna Dale (23P, 7R, 5A), Mikayla Vaughn (13P, 5R)
The 0-5 record is tough to look at but the Queens would tell you that it does not tell the complete story.
Tokomanawa’s first two losses as an understrength team were sizeable, but the margins have changed dramatically since.
They lost to Hoiho at the buzzer, pushed Whai into the final minutes and came within one possession of Pouākai.
The offence now ranks among the best in Tauihi.
The Queens average 79.2 points per game, third in the competition, and lead the league in turnover margin and assist-to-turnover ratio.
They are creating enough quality opportunities to win.
The challenge will be to stay tight and together four quarters at both ends and finding a way to finish with more efficiency in the final moments.
This could be the defining battle of the game.
Hoiho own the best defence in Tauihi, allowing just 71.7 points per game and holding opponents to 41 percent shooting.
But the Queens have a plethora of offensive weapons.
Charlisse is averaging 25.3 points, Mikesell 16.8 and Monroe 17.0 through her first two appearances.
Krystal adds elite playmaking and leads the competition in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio.
Southern’s ability to defend without overcommitting will be crucial.
The Queens can now attack from the perimeter and on the interior, particularly with Davidson returning alongside Monroe giving them a frontcourt mix that few teams will be able to match with ease.
The Queens have looked significantly more physical once Monroe entered the rotation, but still lacked needed depth down low.
Now Davidson returns to lift a position group that started the season as a weakness into a genuine strength.
That gives Tokomanawa two genuine interior targets and two experienced rebounders capable of protecting the paint at the other end.
It also creates a very different challenge from the first meeting.
Hoiho could see Monroe, Davidson paired together up front or call on smaller lineups to change the pace depending on how Coach Tania Tupu chooses to attack the matchup.
Southern’s frontcourt has been excellent, but the Queens finally have the size and depth to make the opposition work throughout the game for a full forty minutes. Will that depth finally get them on the winning side of the Leger.
One of Southern’s greatest strengths has been their ability to generate quality looks without becoming dependent on one scorer.
Hoiho lead Tauihi at 23.4 assists per game and Paige Bradley sits at the centre of that. She is averaging almost 10 assists and owns a remarkable 3.63 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Against Kāhu she finished with 11 assists despite scoring only four points.
That is a key part of what makes Hoiho difficult to defend.
Bradley does not need to dominate the scoring to dominate the game, but she does need to find freedom in transition and the half court so she can set the table.
If she finds the space it could be a good night for the visitors, if not then the Queens will finally find the winners circle.
Dart enters Sunday in outstanding form.
Her 33-point performance against Kāhu lifted her season average to 21.0 points per game, third in Tauihi.
But it's not just her scoring that is impressive, as she is also averaging more than five rebounds and four assists, while providing defensive pressure at the other end.
The Queens have multiple perimeter defenders they can throw at her.
Krystal, Charlisse and Mikesell will all see time around her actions, but stopping Dart has increasingly required a team effort rather than one individual matchup.
Southern do not shoot the three at an elite percentage overall, but they have enough threats to punish poor rotations.
Dart has made 22 threes this season, while Pizzey is shooting efficiently both inside and outside the arc.
The Queens’ defensive numbers remain their biggest concern.
Tokomanawa allow 90 points per game and opponents are shooting a healthy 46 percent from the field.
If the Queens allow Bradley to consistently create paint touches and kick-outs, Hoiho have enough shooting to turn those breakdowns into points quickly.
Two of the leading scorers in Tauihi.
Charlisse averages 25.3 points, while Dart sits at 21.0 after her 33-point performance against Kāhu with both capable of creating their own shot, scoring from outside and putting pressure on the rim.
Charlisse hit seven three-pointers in the first meeting.
Dart scored 20 and added six assists.
Whichever defence can make these two work hardest for their points will gain a significant advantage.
This may be the most important playmaking matchup in the competition.
Krystal averages 10.6 assists per game and leads Tauihi with a 3.79 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Bradley averages 9.9 assists and sits just behind her at 3.63.
Both control tempo, both see passing windows before they open, and both have enough experience to punish defensive mistakes.
The point guard who dictates the game is likely to give her side the best chance of controlling the game and coming up on top down the stretch.
Monroe has made an immediate impact for the Queens, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 64 percent from the field.
Pizzey has been even more efficient, aaveraging 13.7 points while shooting 66% from the floor and 44% from deep.
Both do much of their damage around the basket, but they approach the matchup differently.
Monroe brings length and size, Pizzey brings movement, timing and efficiency.
This could be one of the most intriguing interior matchups of the round.
Davidson’s return adds another dimension for Tokomanawa.
She provides experience, size and rebounding and gives the Queens another option against Hoiho’s versatile frontcourt.
Wojta continues to impact games everywhere.
She averages 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds while also contributing defensively with steals and blocks.
How quickly Davidson settles back into the Queens system could have a significant influence on this matchup.
| Category | Queens | Hoiho |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Charlisse Leger-Walker, 25.3 | Lil Dart, 21.0 |
| Rebounds | Jacinta Monroe, 10.0 | Julie Wojta, 7.1 |
| Assists | Krystal Leger-Walker, 10.6 | Paige Bradley, 9.9 |
| Steals | Jacinta Monroe, 4.0 | Paige Bradley, 2.9 |
| Blocks | Grace Hunter, 0.8 | Wojta/Dart, 0.9 |
| FG% | Jacinta Monroe, 64% | Bec Pizzey, 66% |
| 3P% | Charlisse Leger-Walker, 42% | Bec Pizzey, 44% |
| 3PM | Charlisse Leger-Walker, 3.3 pg | Lil Dart, 3.1 pg |
| Category | Queens | Hoiho |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 0-5 | 6-1 |
| Points | 79.2, 3rd | 79.4, 2nd |
| Points Allowed | 90.0, 5th | 71.7, 1st |
| Scoring Margin | -10.8, 5th | +7.7, 2nd |
| FG% | 41%, 4th | 43%, 2nd |
| Defensive FG% | 46%, 5th | 41%, 1st |
| 3P% | 33%, 33% | 29%, 4th |
| 3P% Defence | 36%, 5th | 32%, 3rd |
| FT% | 74%, 4th | 77%, 1st |
| Rebounding Margin | -10.8, 5th | -0.9, 3rd |
| Assists | 22.6, 2nd | 23.4, 1st |
| Turnover Margin | +4.6, 1st | +4.57, 2nd |
| Steals | 10.0, 2nd | 12.0, 1st |
| Assist/Turnover | 2.17, 1st | 1.78, 2nd |
The similarities are striking in some areas.
These are the top two passing teams in Tauihi and the top two teams in both steals and turnover margin.
The major difference is on defence.
Hoiho rank first in scoring defence and defensive field-goal percentage.
The Queens rank last in both.
Tokomanawa have shown they can score with anyone.
Sunday will come down to whether they can produce enough stops to give that offence a chance to finally carry them over the line.
The Rapid matchup features two teams heading in very different directions statistically.
The Queens sit at 2-3 and have become one of Rapid League’s stronger defensive teams, allowing 27.4 points per game, second in the competition.
Hoiho are 1-6 and sit fifth at both ends, averaging 23.6 points while allowing 35.7.
Tokomanawa also won the first meeting comfortably behind a strong performance from Nahala Toeleiu.
Toeleiu remains their leading scorer at 9.6 points per game and is shooting 56 percent from the field.
Alaska Rhebok provides another important scoring option at seven points per game and leads the group with six made threes.
Grace Hunter adds defensive activity and shot blocking, while Aria Cowley gives the Queens another ball-handler capable of applying pressure.
For Hoiho, Zoe Richards leads the scoring at 6.5 points per game and gives Southern their strongest interior presence.
Alexa Duff remains their main perimeter threat, while Millie Simpson has been one of Hoiho’s most disruptive defenders with 10 steals across seven games.
The key difference has been possession.
Tokomanawa sit second in Rapid League turnover margin at +1.2 and second in steals at 6.6 per game.
Hoiho sit fourth in turnover margin and have struggled to consistently turn defensive stops into efficient offence.
If Richards, Duff and Simpson can give Southern enough scoring support, Hoiho can make the rematch significantly more competitive.
But the Queens’ pressure and balance give them a clear opportunity to strengthen their position in the Rapid League standings.
Hoiho arrive in Porirua with everything moving in the right direction.
Six straight wins. The league’s best defence. The competition’s leading passing attack. A win today clinching a post-season position.
And a starting group in which virtually every player has produced a match-winning performance at some stage of the season.
The Queens present a fascinating contrast. They remain winless, but they have looked nothing like an 0-5 team over the past month.
Charlisse is scoring at an elite level. Krystal continues to control games as a distributor. Monroe has changed the interior equation. And now Davidson returns to give Tokomanawa another experienced presence around the basket.
The first meeting came down to the final shot.
The Queens believe they are closer now.
Hoiho believe they are better now.
Sunday will tell us which teams improvement matters most.
