Tokomanawa Queens cemented second place on GJ Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa competition ladder with an 89-74 victory over Southern Hoiho at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua on Wednesday night.
It looked as if Hoiho would be on the end of a hiding when trailing by a massive 38 points at the mid-point of the third quarter. However they bounced back well to make the second half a competitive contest.
The victory means Tokomanawa Queens have a 5-4 record, one win ahead of both Whai and Mainland Pouākai. Hoiho’s loss means their slim hopes of a top four berth are extinguished, the Southerners with only pride to play for in their final two games.
The two outstanding performances in Porirua belonged to Queens captain Stella Beck and Hoiho star import Laina Snyder.
Beck filled the stats line with a season high 20 points, on 9-of-10 shooting, to accompany 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Snyder, with 31 points, became the first player to accumulate 200 points this season. The League’s leading scorer made 7 from 12 (58%) from beyond the arc in another impressive display.
Samara Gallaher (15 points) was the other Hoiho in double figures and she scored the first 5 points for the visitors although Beck had 7 as the Queens established a 15-7 lead.
Nicole Ruske and Snyder came up with replies but Queens had a 25-16 advantage after teenage rookie Holly Morgan scored her first Tauihi points.
Beck’s initial points of the second period meant she became the third Kiwi, after Micaela Cocks and Sharne Robati, to score 100 points in Tauihi 2022.
A 9-0 run from Queens was snapped by Snyder but the alarm bells were ringing for Hoiho at the mid-point of the second when the Queens lead climbed beyond 20 points (42-20).
The situation didn’t improve for Hoiho in the lead up to the break – Grace Vaofusi’s basket capped a dominant half for the hosts took a 56-30 half-time lead to the locker room.
Snyder, with 12 points, was one of four first half scorers for the Hoiho. In contrast Queens had enjoyed contributions from nine players – Beck the best with 16.
Gallaher became the second Hoiho into double figures but when fellow Tall Fern Josie Trousdell also moved into double digits the Queens lead was out to a whopping 66-35.
All three Queens imports also enjoyed double figure outings - Jaimie Nared scored 14 points, Elin Gustavsson tallied 12 points while Florencia Chagas had 15.
Zoe Richards had begun the game wearing a fearsome looking mask to protect a facial injury. The Hoiho forward disposed of the mask in the third and immediately found the net. With Snyder scoring 8 points and Richards 7 Hoiho had the satisfaction of winning the third frame 26-24 but were still 80-56 adrift at the three-quarter stage.
Hoiho scored the first 9 points of the fourth before Parris Mason made a neat basket to compliment her outstanding defensive work.
Queens coach Tania Tupu reintroduced her starters but it made little difference to Snyder who made her seventh three of the contest - the arrears 84-71 with five minutes to play.
Beck restored some order for the hosts to put a brake on Hoiho’s progress who deserve great credit for their effort and fortitude after bouncing back from a poor first half performance.
The two teams are back in action at the weekend with Queens headed to Auckland to take on the unbeaten Northern Kāhu while Southern Hoiho entertain Mainland Pouākai.
SCORE: Queens 89, Hoiho 74
Queens: Beck 20 PTS, 10 REBS & 5 ASSISTS | Chagas 15 PTS | Nared 14 PTS & 8 REBS | Gustavsson 12 PTS & 5 ASSISTS | Trousdell 10 PTS
Hoiho: Snyder 31 PTS | Gallaher 15 PTS | Ruske 9 PTS
Full box score HERE.
Stuff MVP Votes
Stella Beck (Queens) - 10 votes
Florencia Chagas (Queens) - 7 votes
Laina Snyder (Hoiho) - 6 votes
Jaime Nared (Queens) - 5 votes
Samara Gallaher (Hoiho) - 2 votes
Upcoming Opponents
Queens - Aug 6 @ Northern Kāhu
Hioho – Aug 7 vs. Mainland Pouākai
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Round 6 Tauihi Schedule
