The 2025 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa Grand Final will feature Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai and The Northern Group Tauranga Whai after the Pouākai beat Southern Hoiho 99-92 in the second semi-final in Christchurch.
A standout all-court game from Marena Whittle was key to the Pouākai booking a berth in their first ever grand final. The Australian posted a game high 26 points (making 4 from 6 three-point shots and 10 from 18 overall) and added 11 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal.
There were also double digit contributions from Morgan Yaeger (14 points, 3 assists and 4 blocks), Taylor Mikesell (14 points), Mckenna Dale (12 points). Bree Hall was another key contributor as she made 7 of her season high 20 points in the final two minutes when Hoiho threatened a late comeback.
For the Hoiho Taylah Simmons tallied 22 points, Clare Jacobs 21, Lil Dart 18 (including 4 made threes) and Jess Edward 11. Tall Fern Rebecca Pizzey tallied 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks while point guard Paige Bradley dished 11 assists to accompany 7 points.
As well as winning the rebounding count 45-38 Pouākai were at their destructive best from the 3-point arc making 14 from 29 at 48% with a contribution from seven different players.
The Cowles Stadium crowd were treated to high stakes hit out as neither team had tasted semi-finals success previously and it started in hectic fashion with 53 points being scored in the opening quarter. Hoiho shaded it 27-26 with Simmons and Jacobs scoring 7 points apiece – Hall with 8 points for Pouākai.
The Pouākai had been delt a blow before tip-off with the continued unavailability of Esra McGoldrick and Abigail Fogg confirmed but hit the front for the first time thanks to a Dale triple.
That advantage was short lived as Pizzey made a brace of baskets. Teenager Ava Jones was unleashed by Pouākai coach Alex Stojkovic and she repaid his faith with a sweet triple to put the hosts 44-41 in the ascendancy with four minutes left in the half.
Those closing minutes were dominated by Pouākai as they put together a 9-1 run to lead 53-42 at the interval.
Whittle led all scorers at half-time with 16 points on 6 from 10 shooting, her team an impressive 60% (9 from 15) from beyond the arc.
Whittle buried a pair of threes to keep Pouākai in the ascendancy but Simmons provided the offensive impetus Hoiho were searching for and what had been a 14-point lead was a mere six (67-61) at the back end of the third. Mikesell advanced the Pouākai scoring but Lil Dart beat the three-quarter time buzzer - the Pouakai advantage 74-68.
Whittle and Hall pushed the hosts lead into double figures and it remained that way until the influential Dale fouled out. Hoiho sensed an opportunity and Dart obliged with a three to cut the deficit to 5 points with 2:08 to play.
Up stepped Hall to fill the Dale void and ease the nerves of the home support. The WNBA forward, fresh from a rookie season with the Indiana Fever, made consecutive three-point plays and a free throw to hold the southern rivals at bay.
For Pouākai’s Emma Rogers, McKenna Dale, Morgan Yaeger and coach Alex Stojkovic it sets up an intriguing grand-final meeting with their former club Tauranga Whai.
Result:
Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai 99 – Whittle 26pts & 11rebs, Hall 20pts, Mikesell 14pts, Yaeger 14pts & 4blks, Dale 12 pts
Southern Hoiho 92 – Simmons 22pts, Jacobs 21pts, Dart 18pts, Edwards 11pts, Pizzey 10pts & 11rebs, Bradley 7pts & 11asts
Final score: Pouākai 99 def Hoiho 92
Shooting:
Pouākai – 49% FG (36/73), 48% 3P (14/29), 56% FT (13/23)
Hoiho – 45% FG (34/74), 40% 3P (10/25), 70% FT (14/20)
Rebounds: Pouākai 45 (12 off) – Hoiho 38 (9 off)
Assists: Pouākai 25 – Hoiho 22
Turnovers: 10 each (Pouākai 16 pts off TO, Hoiho 12)
Points in the paint: Hoiho 42 – Pouākai 36
Second-chance points: Pouākai 16 – Hoiho 6
Fast-break points: Hoiho 24 – Pouākai 11
Bench points: Pouākai 20 – Hoiho 22
Biggest lead: Pouākai 14, Hoiho 7
