American forward IImar'I Thomas has been named the 2024 G.J. Gardner Homes Basketball Aotearoa Tauihi Most Valuable Player following a second consecutive dominant campaign for the BNZ Northern Kāhu, who finished second on the ladder with an 7-5 record. Playing 32.8 minutes per game (9th most in the competition) Thomas finished the season as the 3rd leading scorer by average (scoring 23.58ppg) while grabbing 8.42 rebounds per game (3 of those coming on the offensive end every game) which was good for 7th best in the league. Her efficiency while carrying a heavy offensive load always stood out when on the floor and this was evidenced by her 59% shooting from the field, good for 3rd in the league, while taking 67 more shots than any other player who finished in the top 15 in field goal percentage. MVP wasn't her only accolade IImar'I garnered, as she was named to the All Star 5 for the 2nd consecutive season proving her talent and impact once again.
Joining her on the All=Star 5 in the frontcourt is Jordan Horston who starred for ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens and was the leading scoring in Tauihi at 24 points per game. Horston was a dynamic player whose skills went far beyond putting the ball in the basket and she stuffed the stat sheet every game in multiple categories. She would finish the regular season with averages of 8.44 rebounds (7th in the league), 5.44 assists (2nd), 1.33 steals (13th) and 1.44 blocks (2nd) for the Queens as they would finish as the fourth and final qualifier for the postseason.
Ashley Joens of the Northern Group Tauranga Whai also received All-Star 5 honours, as the guard finished 2nd in scoring (23.58ppg) and 5th in rebounding with a 8.58 per game average. Joens was a tremendous scorer all over the court, but particularly from deep where she bombed away to the tune of 3.17 made 3's per game, tops in the league. her activity was the engine for a Whai offense that was the best in the league even while improving over the course of the season to claim third on the ladder.
The top seed in the postseason didn't go without recognition as Haleigh Reinoehl and Mikhaela Cann both were awarded with All-Star 5 nods for the Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai following a stellar season where the team finished stronger than all comers. Reinoehl found her way offensively as the season rolled along, finishing with averages of 15.3 ppg, 8.8 rbs, 2.4 ast and 1.3 steals per game as the main interior option and also carried a heavy load on the defensive end with responsibilities on opponents' main interior options.
Mikhaela Cann was a steady hand for the Pouākai offense with averages of 11 points and 6.6 assists per game, tops in the league, while also leading the way defensively while swiping 1.5 steals each game (tied for 10th) while shooting 87% from the stripe and leading the regular season champions in minutes with 36.7 played per game.
But the Pouākai players couldn't do it on their own and the work of Head Coach Paul Flynn was also awarded with the nod for Coach of the Year who was rewarded for his steady hand of influence that saw the team bounce back from early season stumbles to storm home down the stretch and claim the top seed in the postseason for their top of the table finish. The Pouākai returning to the postseason after a 1-year hiatus.
Defensive player of the year went to Stella Beck in recognition of her tireless effort and importance to the Queens on that side of the court. Beck finished 2nd in steals (2.36 steals per game) and 6.3 rebounds while often guarding the oppositions top perimeter option.
Youth Player of the Year was awarded to Chloe Forster, who's energy and effort was a driving force for one of the best defenses in the league. The 21 year old Australian started 8 of 12 games in Tauihi to reach averages of 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4 assists in 25.9 minutes per game as a key member of the Kāhu roster rotation.
Most Improved Player was a tight race for the voters, one where Sharne Robati would be selected for her jump in effectiveness from season to season. Robati improved statistically in almost every category in her third Tauihi season reaching averages of 9.4ppg, 5.4 rebounds, 1.45 assists, while improving her efficiency from the floor in 25.6 minutes per game. These numbers improved her impact across the board from 2023 where she averaged 8.4 points, 3.8rbs, 1.1aast, while playing 13.2 minutes per game.
The Sky Broadband Rapid League title was captured by the Kāhu and Steph Bairstow was rewarded for her for her role in the title season by being selected MVP. Bairstow was the Rapid leading scorer (10.82 points per game), second leading rebounder (5 rpg), second in blocks (.82) while notching up the 7th most minutes for the Kāhu who finished with a 10-2 record. Her dominance for the Rapid champs also saw her earn Rapid League All-Star 5 honours, where she was joined by teammate Krystal Leger-Walker finished 5th in assists (4.33pg) while adding top level defense and chipping offensively when needed.
Joining them on the Rapid All-Star 5 team was Jacinta Beckley of the Queens (2nd in scoring, 3rd in rebounding), the Southern Hoiho's Chelsea D'Angelo, and Tauihi Most Improved player Sharne Robati.
When required, the awards nominees are supplied by the five Tauihi head coaches, with each coach able to select players from any team (including their own) to nominate. The MVP and All Star 5 (for Tauihi and Rapid League) list is compiled from the season MVP rankings which are voted upon by coaches after each game throughout the season (Both Rapid and Tauihi), with the top ten vote getting guards and top 15 forward/centres making the final list from which players can be selected for the honour. All head coaches are eligible for selection for coach of the year.
The head coaches are joined by a panel of independent experts chosen to supplement the voting process. This year's selection was Justin Nelson (Sky Sport Commentary), Casyn Buchman (Sky Sport Commentary), Casey Frank (Sky Sport Commentary) and Mike Lacey (Independent Basketball Journalist) for a final voting panel of 9 members.
Full List of G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi and Sky Broadband Rapid League Award Winners
G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi MVP
Coach of the Year
Tauihi All-Star Five -
Defensive Player of the Year
Youth Player of the Year -
Most Improved Player
Sky Broadband Rapid League MVP
Sky Broadband Rapid League All-Star Five
Referee of the Year
Club Awards
Club of the Year - Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai
Team GM of the Year - Walter Taulelei - ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Best Game Presentation – ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Best Fan Engagement – ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Best Social Media – Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai
