photo credit: Masanori Ugdagawa
Sky Sport commentator Casey Frank takes a look at the week that was before taking a sneak peek at this weeks action to share a little insight into R2.
Stars Leading the Way
The offense was pumping in week 1, and having a go to scorer was a must to get on the winning ledger as each victorious team had a standout performer who dropped 23 points or more in helping their squads to inaugural wins of the season. The Whai and Kāhu were deadly from deep shooting 37% and 39% respectively but no one found the range quite like the Kāhu's Tahlia Tupaea, who drained 6-10 triples en-route to 23 points. Not to be outshone, Whai import Ashley Joens displayed a deep bag of skill on here way to 25pts, 8rbs and 7 ast but was particularly impressive when set loose in transition where her speed and determination consistently had the Pouākai on the back foot. The Queens found a way to the win despite a tough shooting night from deep (4-23 @ 17%) and most everywhere else as just 2 players in their lineup were able to shoot better than 40% from the field. But when one of those is Lou Brown playing with brilliant efficiency (25pts on 10-13 shooting, 16rbs, 2ast and 2stls) you will have a bit of margin for error.
The Hoiho ended up on the wrong side of the win column twice but had their chances in both games so will feel confident their first win of the season is on the horizon but it would help if their starting backcourt found form from deep in the same game (Ahlise Hurst 16pts 4-10 3pfg V. Queens, 2pts 1-11 V. Kāhu) (Paige Bradley 26pts, 3-7 3pfg V. Kāhu, 10pts 0-9 3pfg V. Queens). If both players are able to find that form at the same time while combining with the skills of Nat Chou and hustle of Zoe Richards victories will be on the horizon.
The Pouākai will come into round 2 with a bit more work to do as their game against an understrength Whai (Mikayla Cowling out with injury for 4-6 weeks and Morgan Yaeger going down early with a broken wrist that will have a similar timeline). But there were positives to build from as Esra McGoldrick hit 19pts in under 30 minutes on court while imports Haliegh Reinoehl (10pts, 13rbs) and Cassandra Brown (19pts, 11rbs) both worked their way to double doubles. But the rebounding advantage couldn't keep the offensive efficiency of the Whai (49% fg) from getting in front and staying there. The opportunity was there but when two starters (Mckenzie Forbes and Brown) combined for 13-46 shooting from the floor (including 5-24 3pfg) it became too difficult a task to keep up with the Whai's offensive firepower.
Worth A Mention
Penina Davidson and IImar'I Thomas 1-2 punch- The frontcourt pairing that proved so trouble some to opponents a year ago has not dipped in the offseason. The Kāhu do an excellent job of exploiting their strength on the block and have an almost telepathic connection when playing off each other in the high low. Each recorded double doubles (Davidson 20pts, 10rbs, Thomas 18pts, 12rbs) and the scheme sets them both up for success, particularly targeting opponents weaker post defenders with a relentless ness that can tire teams out.
Lara McSpadden and Laina Snyder combo - Ashley Joens was absolutely the engine for the Whai offense but it wouldn't have run nearly as smoothly without the support of McSpadden and Snyder. Snyder possibly the most overlooked returning import after a dominant season with the Hoiho in T1 that didn't lead to many wins, her form has picked up right where it left off (17pts, 6rbs, 3ast) and looks to be a winning piece that will fit with the Whai. McSpadden gives the Whai the inside presence they sorely missed a year ago, evidenced by her 21pts 0n 9-14fg, 13rbs, 4ast and 2stl stat line, and her ability as a screener will be invaluable to scoring ability of her ball handlers.
What to Look For in R2
Northern Group Tauranga Whai v BNZ Northern Kāhu, Friday 7:30pm, Queen Elizabeth youth Centre, Tauranga
The Whai displayed a dominant offense in their home opener with Ashley Joens leading the way in transition while executing in the half-court. Down a bit on talent with a pair of injuries to imports (Cowling and Yaeger expected to each miss a minimum of 1 month) their depth will be tested. But one players misery becomes another's opportunity as young gun (and reigning Rapid League MVP) Pahlyss Hokianga will likely get the chance to hold the reigns in the starting point guard slot. But if this game is to be won by the Whai it will need to be won on the defensive side of the ball.
And the Kāhu will make that a tough task for the Whai on this occasion. In R1 they looked like a team easing into the season who was still finding familiarity with their sets and the skillset of their teammates. The Davidson/Thomas combo is killer but takes second stage to the offensive prowess of Tahlia Tupaea whose 6 triples in R1 were a league high. Defensively Chloe Forster, Lilly Rotunno and Krystal Leger-Walker provide excellent pressure at the point of attack and have the ability to disrupt halfcourt sets and turn defense into offensive transition opportunities.
Matchup to Watch- Ashley Joens v Tahlia Tupaea
Southern Hoiho v Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai, Saturday 7:30pm, Edgar Centre, Dunedin
A tough road double versus the championship finalists left the Hoiho empty in the win column but with a good foundation to build from. The offense created solid opportunities in the opening round, but shooting 14-60 (23%) kept tight games from becoming upset wins. The Hoiho lack a true center and will have to hustle and work as a collective across the season to make up for the lack of size but the hustle of Zoe Richards, Samantha Bowman and Nat Chou looks to be an equaliser on the interior.
The Pouākai head back on the road in their search for the first win of the season and will looking to improve in defensive transition but will feel relatively confident in their offensive capabilities after dropping 48 second half points on the Whai. They may look to pack the paint against a Hoiho team that missed the mark from deep in the opening round, but will need to be wary of that strategy with the Hoiho shooters always on the verge of hot streak. Finding their own form from deep after a tough opener (7-31 @ 22%) would stretch out the defense and open driving lanes but if not a repeat effort on the glass (21 o-boards in R1) will make up for some of the misses.
Matchup to Watch - Paige Bradley v Mikhaela Cann
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens v BNZ Norther Kāhu, Sunday 3pm, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
The clash of the titans returns with a R2 rematch of the first two Tauihi title games. The Queens weren't at their best in the opener, partially due to an illness that ran through the team and the unavailability of imports Jordan Horston and Florencia Chagas, but were able to find a way to grind out a win despite not being at their best. With the jetlag for the APAC tournament giving way and the completion of their lineup this could be a vastly improved team on display. Lou Brown was spectacular in the opener, feasting on mismatches and showing great aggression on the offensive end while Jihyun Park showed her skills as a point forward who can score with ease (16pts, 6rbs, 5ast) and has the ability to be a second initiator in the halfcourt along with Chagas. The form of Tamari Key will be of greater importance against the interior strength of the Kāhu and I would expect her to find the court for minutes far in excess of her opening round haul (9:30 played). The influence of Stella Beck (8pts, 16rbs, 2ast, 2stls in R1) will be a factor, especially for a player that has been ruminating on a Grand Final she missed due to injury in '23.
The Kāhu will be on the second game of the round and will need to manage minutes well to ensure they have the legs down the stretch on the road against their greatest rival. They didn't go deep into the bench in R1 with just 7 players seeing the court for more than 3 minutes but have options that can contribute ( Stephanie Bairstow, Mary Goulding and Chevannah Paalvast in particular). The size of the Queens may negate the Kāhu advantage on the interior but their defensive efforts of the perimeter could counter that.
Matchup To Watch - Lou Brown v II'marI Thomas
