photo credit: Blake Armstrong
The Week that Was
Round 6 began with the closest we've seen to a full strength Whai team hosting a resurgent Pouākai squad in a rematch from both teams very first game of the season that ended with a Whai win where they droppecd 98 points in what is still the highest scoring total for any team this season. But the Pouākai would have felt confident that things would turn out differently this time around as they looked to build off of big wins in previous weeks. But this rematch hit many of the same beats from the first time around as the Whai offense scored 29 points in the opening quarter (the same total from the opening quarter of their first match of the year) to jump out to a 10 point lead that would never be relinquished. Perimeter defense was key as the despite big games from McKenzie Forbes (20pts, 8rbs, 3ast) and Cassandra Brown (19pts) the visitors were unable to find range from deep as they shot just 3-24 from deep on the day. The shooting ailment didn't extend to the home side as 5 players would hit triples with both Mikayla Cowling (14pts, 6rbs, 4ast) and Mckenna Dale (18pts) notching 4 trey balls apiece. Ashley Joens again a standout for the Whai as her double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds led the team in both categories. The Whai taking the victory by twenty (91-71) and looking like a team that is hitting it's stride for the second half of the season while the Pouākai continue their search for game to game consistency.
They would have their next opportunity to continue the search just two days later as the Pouākai travelled north to Auckland for their third game against the Northern Kāhu with the teams splitting the pair, both finding victories on their home floors. The Kāhu would jump out to an early lead hoping for a repeat of a Halloween night beat down of their opponent, but a gameplan that was focused on running the floor, playing with physicality and wearing down their opponent began to make inroads, and the top of the table Kāhu began to show signs of strife as the game moved along. No sign was larger then the frustration of Tahlia Tupaea who would be issued a unsportsmanlike foul, which when paired with a Tech foul in the first half would disqualify her for the rest of the game leaving her to stew on an 0-6 night from the floor. IImar'I Thomas (28pts, 11rbs, 1blk) and Penina Davidson (16pts, 15rbs, 2stls, 1blk) putting up plenty of effort without their star guard but in the end it would prove to not be enough. Despite shooting just 4-22 from deep the Pouākai gritted out a tough win behind great defense (holding the Kāhu to 31% from the field and 5% (1-18) from deep!! The tough defense buoyed by offense from Cassandra Brown (24pts, 14rbs, 3stls), Haliegh Reinoehl (13pts, 8rbs, 3blks) and a stat stuffing performance from Mckenzie Forbes of 17pts, 8rbs, 7ast and 2 blks as they went on to claim victory 69-66.
The final match of the round would prove to be the closest as the Queens traveled to visit the Hoiho without the services of league leading scorer Jordan Horston. For most teams losing a player of that caliber would be a killing blow but the talented Queens were hoping to lean on their depth to see if they couldn't get over the line without the talents of Horston. It would prove to be a bruising encounter with 49 fouls called 63 free throws attempted where neither team was willing to to concede. When a Nat Chou 3pointer dropped to give the Hoiho a 76-71 lead with 6:46 remaining it looked as if the home side would be able to pull out the win, but the Queens refused to go away. But with both Zoe Richards and Paige Bradley fouling out in the fourth the Queens kept confident and when Stella Beck was foulded with 49 seconds remaining down 1 she would calmly sink two from the chemist warehouse stripe to take the lead 86-85, which would also be the final score. Ahlise Hurst (bouncing back with 19pts) and Samantha Bowman (16pts, 10rbs, 2ast, 2stls, 2blks) leading the way for the Hoiho but their efforts unable to match four players in double figures led by Lou Brown with 28 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals.
Worth Mentioning
Haliegh Reinoehl - There were bigger heroes on the statistically in the victory over the Kāhu, but Reinoehl's work on the interior was a sight to behold on both ends of the court. Her work rate on defense never wavered against the strong opposition front line and her pace in transition was key to forcing the Northern defense to push themselves to get back in transition. A stellar 38 minutes would she her finish with 13pts, 8rbs, 3ast, 2stls and 1blk on the night.
Stella Beck - The captains influence on her team is undeniable but special mention for the stat stuffing of late, highlighted by 12pts, 9rbs, 5ast, 4stls, and 2blks(!!!) against the Hoiho in the 1 point victory where she also hit the game winning free throws!! Yeah, that's worth mentioning.
Round 7 Matchups
BNZ Northern Kāhu v ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens, Eventfinda Stadium, Thursday 7:30pm
A championship rematch tips off the round as the Kāhu come back to their home court with a bit of chip on their shoulder after going down in the same building last round. Tahlia Tupaea will be in the lineup after facing the Game Review Commissioner for a disqualifying foul and it's hoped that Jordan Horston will return to lineup after missing the last game with injury, and she was tough to stop the last time these teams faced off, a 75-72 Kāhu victory back in R2. The Queens boast the top offense in the league (81.83 ppg) but the top scoring defense belongs to the Kāhu (68.57 ppg) so it looks like a battle of strength against strength. A key for the Queens will be limiting their opponents 3 point shootings as the Kāhu shoot a league best 34% from deep and do so while holding opponents to 26% on their own shots. If the Kāhu do get hot it could be tough for the Queens to keep pace as they currently shoot a league worst 26% from deep, but counter that with a team that is built to crash the glass (Queens have a +4 rebound margin, best in league). The Kāhu depend on their inside scoring more than most but the shot blocking of the Queens (5.22 per game, league best) can take away some of that effectiveness.
Matchup to Watch - All of em, but if I have to pick one I'll go with IImar'I Thomas and Lou Brown. Last time out Brown could only get up 4 shots (for 7pts) to go with 16 rebounds while IImar'I hit for 13pts, 5rbs with neither player taking the upper hand. This time around if one is able to gain advantage so will their squad.
Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai v The Northern Group Tauranga Whai, Cowles Stadium, Friday 7:30pm
The Pouākai are back in Cowles and feeling good having taken the scalp of the top team on the ladder for the second time this year, but the celebrations will have to wait as the Whai, the only team they are yet to beat in the league, comes visiting for the first time this year. Containing Ashley Joens (23.63ppg) has been a near impossible task this year but the Pouākai have the personnel to make it tough on the second leading scorer in the league. But with Mikayla Cowling coming into form there are multiple scoring ballhandlers to be concerned about, and that's without having to deal with the shooting of Mckenna Dale or the hustle and size of Laina Snyder and Lara McSpadden up front, a combo which has proved too much to handle for the Pouākai this season. The Whai let it fly from deep more than any other team (272 trey balls compared to 209 for the 2nd spotted Pouākai) and were rewarded with this tact in the last matchup where they dropped 14 (they average 10.63 made 3's per game) and this will have to be tempered by the home side if they want to find a way to win. The Whai are very switchable, but the Mainlanders will need to punish mismatches when they get the chance or it could be a long night in the half court.
Matchup to Watch- Cassandra Brown v Laina Snyder - Brown is proving to be a potent interior threat and her offense might be most vital to the Pouākai scoreboard ticking over but Snyder has the hustle and strength to keep opponents from finding their spot.
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens v Southern Hoiho, TSB Arena, Sunday 3pm
The Queens get the home-road double this round and a well rested Hoiho squad looking for a bit of revenge will be waiting for them. The tight loss to the Queens means Hoiho have slipped to the bottom rung on the ladder but the tight results against the Queens (a 73-68 loss to begin the year) should lift the confidence of the vistiors. They managed 5 double figure scorers (with two others on 9pts) in the last matchup and that balance will serve them well if they can call upon it again, especially from deep where 6 players found the net. If they can get that type of flow offensively again at the same time Samantha Bowman, Natalie Chou and Zoe Richards are competing up front they will be off to a good start, but that didn't slow down Lou Brown last week. The matchup between Paige Bradley and Florencia Chagas will be an entertaining matchup with their contrasting styles of play but the return of Jordan Horston could prove the x factor for the Hoiho who have yet to match up with the WNBA star.
Matchup to Watch - Jordan Horston v Natalie Chou- This is unlikely to be the only matchup Horston faces, but it's the one I'm most keen to see as Chou has proven a top flight defender every time out on the hardwood. Horston will provide a unique challenge with her athleticism and aggression on the rim but its a challenge that I can't wait to be issued.
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