Southern Hoiho get to defend their home court for the first time this season on Sunday evening when they welcome the Tokomanawa Queens to the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
The teams come into this one with two differing an surprising paths.
Hoiho are 2-1 after back-to-back road wins over The Northern Group Tauranga Whai and BNZ Northern Kāhu, and will now play their first home game of the season after opening with three straight away fixtures.
The Queens are still searching for their first victory at 0-2, but Sunday brings another opportunity for a roster packed with high-level talent to find its rhythm.
Their most recent outing was a difficult one. ProcureX Mainland Pouākai poured in the points in Porirua, handing the Queens a massive defeat despite promising Tauihi debuts from Hailey Van Lith and Charlisse Leger-Walker.
The addition of Van Lith and Leger-Walker should give Tokomanawa another level of offensive firepower, but through two games the Queens are averaging 73.0 points while conceding 94.5.
Todd Marshall’s Hoiho side leads Tauihi in assists, steals and turnover margin, while sitting second in scoring defence.
For the Queens, the challenge is turning the obvious talent in their backcourt into greater consistency at both ends.
When: Sunday 11 October
Where: Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Rapid League: 5:00pm
Tauihi: 6:00pm
Watch Live: Sky Sport 4 in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else internationally
Commentary: Maia Williamson and Lindsay Tait
Box Score Here
Buy Tickets Here
Hoiho made it back-to-back road wins with a composed 12-point victory over Northern Kāhu.
The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to find rhythm before Julie Wojta opened the scoring and Lil Dart began attacking the basket.
Kāhu stayed close through the first half and reduced the margin to just two during the second quarter, but Hoiho responded through Bec Pizzey and took a 35-27 advantage into halftime.
The visitors created separation in the third.
Hoiho pushed the lead to 56-41 heading into the fourth quarter and remained in control from there, managing the game well enough to complete another important road victory.
Dart powered the offence in the second half to lead the scoring with 19 points, while Paige Bradley again controlled the offence with 15 points and 13 assists.
Bec Pizzey added 15 points as Hoiho continued to receive production across their starting group.
Leading Players
Hoiho: Lil Dart (19P, 3R, 4A), Paige Bradley (15P, 4R, 13A), Bec Pizzey (15P, 3R, 2A)
Kāhu: Erin Bollmann (14P, 6R, 7A), Kayla Manuirirangi (10P)
The Queens stayed with Pouākai early on their homecourt, but the game changed dramatically after halftime.
Charlisse Leger-Walker helped Tokomanawa settle into the contest with some early scoring, while Hailey Van Lith and Taylor Mikesell also found opportunities as the Queens trailed by just one after the opening quarter.
Pouākai began to separate in the second, taking a 53-43 lead into halftime before taking complete control after the break.
The visitors repeatedly attacked the paint and overwhelmed the Queens on the glass, eventually pulling away to a 37-point victory.
Van Lith finished with 20 points and six rebounds in her Tauihi debut, while Charlisse Leger-Walker added 19 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Mikesell contributed 13 points.
Krystal Leger-Walker continued to create for others, but the Queens were unable to match Pouākai’s rebounding and interior scoring.
Leading Players
Queens: Hailey Van Lith (20P, 6R), Charlisse Leger-Walker (19P, 4R, 7A), Taylor Mikesell (13P, 2R)
Pouākai: Mikayla Vaughn (32P, 12R, 3A), McKenna Dale (28P, 19R, 5A), Morgan Yaeger (15P, 6R, 7A)
| Category | Hoiho | Queens |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-1 | 0-2 |
| Points | 75.0, 2nd | 73.0, 4th |
| Points Allowed | 70.7, 2nd | 94.5, 5th |
| Scoring Margin | +4.3, 3rd | -21.5, 5th |
| FG% | 43%, 2nd | 37%, 4th |
| Defensive FG% | 40%, 3rd | 44%, 4th |
| 3P% | 26%, 4th | 29%, 3rd |
| 3PM | 6.3 pg, 4th | 8.0 pg, 3rd |
| FT% | 73%, 4th | 75%, 2nd |
| Turnover Margin | +4.7, 1st | +1.0, 3rd |
| ORB% | 17%, 5th | 21%, 4th |
| DRB% | 73%, 2nd | 60%, 5th |
| Rebounding Margin | -8.3, 4th | -14.5, 5th |
| Assists | 23.7, 1st | 21.0, 2nd |
| Assist/Turnover | 1.48, 2nd | 1.75, 1st |
| Steals | 15.3, 1st | 8.0, 4th |
| Blocks | 5.3 pg | 3.5 pg |
The stats show that the Queens’ problems have not been in creating offence for one another or taking care of the basketball.
They lead Tauihi in assist-to-turnover ratio and sit second in assists, while making eight threes per game.
The larger issues have been defence and rebounding.
Tokomanawa sit last in points allowed, defensive rebound percentage and rebounding margin, creating a clear area Hoiho will try to exploit.
Sunday will be only the second game with Charlisse Leger-Walker and Hailey Van Lith in the lineup.
Their first outing showed the upside.
Van Lith scored 20 points, Charlisse added 19 points and seven assists, while Krystal Leger-Walker enters Sunday averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists through the opening two games.
Taylor Mikesell remains another major scoring threat at 17.5 points per game.
That gives Tania Tupu four perimeter players capable of taking over possessions in very different ways.
The Queens are already second in the competition at 21 assists per game and have a strong 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio. The challenge is finding the right balance between creation, spacing and defensive accountability for a team that is still not yet at full strength.
Hoiho lead Tauihi with 15.3 steals per game and a +4.7 turnover margin.
Bradley is averaging 3.7 steals, Dart three, while Pizzey, Bertholdt and Wojta have all been active defensively.
The Queens have actually protected possession well despite their 0-2 start.
They average only 12 turnovers per game, third-best in turnover margin at +1.0, and lead Tauihi with a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio.
That means Hoiho cannot rely on mistakes simply appearing, they will need to manufacture them with unrelenting pressure.
If their pressure can push the Queens into rushed decisions, Hoiho can turn defence into the transition opportunities that have helped fuel their strong start.
This remains Tokomanawa’s biggest statistical concern through two rounds.
The Queens are being outrebounded by 14.5 per game, the worst margin in Tauihi.
They are collecting 21 percent of available offensive rebounds but just 60 percent at the defensive end, ranking fourth and fifth respectively.
Those numbers were heavily influenced by Pouākai dominance on the glass last weekend, but the issue remains an area of concern.
Hoiho have also been outrebounded overall, sitting at -8.3 per game, and collect a league-low 17 percent of available offensive rebounds through the first two rounds.
The difference is at the defensive end, where Hoiho rank second at 73 percent rate of defensive rebounds.
Krystal Leger-Walker leads the Queens at 7.5 rebounds per game, while Cassidy Lacey-Rameka is averaging six and Van Lith grabbed six in her debut.
Tokomanawa need a collective response from a guard heavy team still waiting on its full contingent of frontcourt talent.
The Queens have allowed 75 and 114 points and sit last in scoring defence at 94.5 points allowed per game.
Opponents are shooting 44 percent against them, while Tokomanawa have also allowed an average of 53 rebounds to opponents.
Hoiho may not possess Pouākai’s overwhelming interior size, but their ball movement creates a different type of pressure to defenses and on the glass.
They lead Tauihi at 23.7 assists per game, with Bradley averaging more than 10 herself.
For the Queens, communication and staying connected defensively will be crucial against a team that lets everyone at the table eat.
Bradley has been one of the most influential facilitators in the competition through the opening rounds.
She leads Tauihi at 10.3 assists per game while adding 14 points and 3.7 steals.
She now faces a Queens backcourt with multiple players capable of challenging her at both ends.
Krystal Leger-Walker is averaging 9.5 assists, Charlisse delivered seven in her first appearance and Van Lith brings another aggressive on-ball threat.
The battle for control of tempo may be as important as any individual scoring matchup.
The two leading assist-makers in the competition meet in Dunedin.
Bradley is averaging 10.3 assists per game, while Krystal Leger-Walker sits at 9.5.
Krystal is also leading Tauihi in steals at four per game and is averaging 7.5 rebounds, giving the Queens production across the stat sheet.
Both can dictate tempo without needing to dominate the scoring column.
Bradley’s ability to get Dart, Pizzey and Wojta into their spots has been central to Hoiho’s success.
Krystal’s job is similar for a Queens team with even more perimeter scoring options.
Whichever point guard gets their team organised more consistently could have a major say in the result.
This shapes as one of the most entertaining perimeter matchups of the round.
Dart leads Hoiho in scoring at 16.7 points per game and is coming off a 19-point performance against Kāhu.
Van Lith scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds in her Tauihi debut, shooting 50 percent from the field and 2-from-3 from beyond the arc.
Both are comfortable creating off the dribble and both can change the pace of a game quickly.
While not a matchup that is likely to be head to head, but one that reflects the versatility of both teams.
Pizzey is averaging 14.7 points while shooting 69 percent from the field, one of the best efficiency marks in Tauihi.
Charlisse produced 19 points, seven assists and three steals in her first game and committed just one turnover despite taking on significant playmaking responsibility.
Hoiho will want to use Pizzey’s size and efficiency inside.
The Queens will want to make the game more mobile and force Hoiho’s bigger defenders to operate away from the basket.
Both players provide experience and scoring without needing to dominate possession.
Wojta impacts the game as a scorer, rebounder, passer and defender, averaging nine points, six rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Mikesell remains one of the Queens’ most dangerous scoring threats at 17.5 points per game, although she has shot just 14 percent from three through the opening two games.
If Mikesell finds her perimeter rhythm, Hoiho’s defence will be stretched considerably further.
| Category | Hoiho | Queens |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Lil Dart, 16.7 | Hailey Van Lith, 20.0 |
| Rebounds | Julie Wojta, 6.0 | Krystal Leger-Walker, 7.5 |
| Assists | Paige Bradley, 10.3 | Krystal Leger-Walker, 9.5 |
| Steals | Paige Bradley, 3.7 | Krystal Leger-Walker, 4.0 |
| Blocks | Dart/Pizzey/Bertholdt/Wojta, 1.3 | Stella Beck, 2.0 |
| FG% | Bec Pizzey, 69% | Beck/Van Lith, 50% |
| 3P% | Bec Pizzey, 40% | Hailey Van Lith, 67% |
| 3PM | Lil Dart, 2.0 pg | Charlisse Leger-Walker/Van Lith, 2.0 pg |
Both teams enter the Rapid League matchup looking to turn around difficult starts.
Hoiho are 1-2 and averaging 26.7 points per game while allowing 36.3.
The Queens remain 0-2, averaging 24.5 points and conceding 32.0.
Tokomanawa have struggled offensively, shooting just 25 percent from the field and 18 percent from three.
Their bright spot has been Nahala Toeleiu.
She leads the Queens at 9.5 points per game and has shot 5-from-8 from the field, including 2-from-2 from three. Alaska Rhebok is averaging six points, while Victoria Ikenasio leads the regular rotation at 3.5 rebounds per game.
The Queens have also been strong at the free-throw line, shooting a league-best 86 percent.
Perhaps most importantly for this matchup, Tokomanawa have won the rebounding battle despite their winless start. They carry a +4.5 rebound margin through two games compared with Hoiho at -9.3.
Hoiho have the competition’s leading Rapid League scorer in Alexa Duff, who is averaging 10.7 points and has already made seven threes.
For the Queens, turning their rebounding advantage into easier offensive opportunities will be crucial if they are to secure their first Rapid League victory.
Hoiho finally get to play at home after opening the season with three consecutive road games.
They return to Dunedin with momentum, consecutive wins and an identity beginning to take shape around ball movement, defensive pressure and a balanced starting group.
The Queens arrive searching for answers, but the underlying numbers show there are foundations to build on.
They are sharing the basketball, protecting possession and now have significantly more offensive firepower following the arrivals of Charlisse Leger-Walker and Hailey Van Lith.
Their key issues are at the other end of the court.
Tokomanawa need to improve their defensive efficiency, compete much harder on the glass and prevent opponents from turning second chances into sustained scoring runs.
The talent is obvious.
Sunday is another opportunity to turning that talent into results.
