photo credit: Photowellington /Masanori Udagawa
BNZ Northern Kāhu
If you THINK the Kāhu love getting a win over their biggest rivals (Tokomanawa Queens) then a 75-72 thriller is all the sweeter when you're missing an import player and a Tall Fern. No Megan Mullings or Mary Goulding ... no worries. See you next time Queens, thanks for the game.
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
If you THINK the Whai are bit banged up right now THEN the last thing they wanted to see was Ashlley Joens twisting her ankle late in the game against the Kāhu. Joens exited the game for treatment and didn't return but reports from the team's overcrowded hospital ward are their star WNBA recruit will be ready to go for a tough R3 road double against the Queens and Hoiho.
ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai
If you THINK the Pouākai needed to change things up when they were down by 17 points early in the second quarter against the Hoiho THEN they did the exact opposite and kept a tight rotation, electing to go with just 7 players (noting Tara Manumaleuga only played 38 seconds) and only six players scored - all in double digits. A win worthy of a big celebration for the Pouākai.
Southern Hoiho
Conversely, if you THINK the Hoiho should have both hands on the steering wheel and be fully focused on the road ahead after three straight losses THEN you might as well rip the rearview mirror out because looking back will only haunt them. After being in the contest against both the Queens and Kāhu, before losing both, and then falling from a 17-point lead against the Pouākai, looking back is not a pretty sight.
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
If you THINK the Queens are planning on a quiet week ahead of this Friday's clash with the Whai THEN think again. With their full roster now in town, the Queens will be using every opportunity this week to spend time on court together. While the class is there, the connection and execution were lacking against the Kāhu on Sunday, leading to 21 turnovers in the 72-75 loss.
