Tauihi: Southern Hoiho 102, Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai 66 at the Edgar Centre, Dunedin
The Hoiho thrilled a Halloween home crowd with a balanced offensive onslaught. Jessie Edwards and Claire Jacobs scored 19 each, Taylah Simmons attacked the rim, and Lillian Dart added 17 to blow the game open after halftime. Pouākai were led by Esra McGoldrick (16) and Charlotte Whittaker (12) but couldn’t keep pace as Hoiho cleared the glass and pushed in transition. With the victory the Hoiho move up the ladder into third with a full week before their next match for the Pouākai, a quick turnaround is on the cards as they return home to host a winless Kāhu side.
Rapid League: Southern Hoiho 31, Yellow i Glass Mainland Pouākai 38,
With Emma Rogers out, Hana Lacey-Rameka stepped up early and finished with 16 and 5. Ava Jones (7, 5) and Marena Whittle (7) helped Pouākai win extra possessions and control the final two quarters. Hoiho’s Tia Pavihi (8) and Lillian Dart (6) battled, but with 7 points in transition and 7 second chance points given up to their opponent it was always going to be with a 4-17 night from from behind the arc it was always going to be an uphill climb.
The Northern Group Whai vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens — QEYC, Tauranga
Rapid 2:00 pm, Tauihi 3:00 pm (local NZT).
Tauihi what to watch:
League-leading Whai host a Queens group that has rediscovered offensive flow behind Kristy Wallace’s table-setting and Penina Davidson’s paint production. The key battle of the game may be the Whai’s Laina Snyder (leading the league in rebounds) and Hannah Hank in the post and on the glass against the Queens Penina Davidson and Lou Brown who have powered past opponents all season long. Emme Shearer’s shot making vs Stella Beck’s two-way impact could tilt the arc math but the backcourt duel between pgs Jessica McDowell-White and Kristy Wallace will determine pace of play. Will it be the full throttle speed of the Whai or the halfcourt precision of the Queens?
Rapid what to watch:
Queens arrive hot in Rapid form atop the Rapid Ladder, but Jade Kirisome and Sophia Locandro give the Whai pace and punch. Turnovers and corner threes will be the swing stats.
Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs BNZ Northern Kāhu — Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Rapid 2:00 pm, Tauihi 3:00 pm (local NZT).
Tickets here
Tauihi Watch:
The Pouākai aim to bounce back quickly at home, especially their import trio of Marena Whittle, Taylor Mikesell and Bree Hall who combined for 3-32 shooting in the first game of their weekend double header. If they can provide the spacing it will be a much easier task against a desperate Kāhu team. The visitors will seek a circuit-breaker behind Tahlia Tupaea’s ball control and Haleigh Reinoehl’s board work; keeping Pouākai off the offensive glass is priority one. Will this finally be the day that the Kāhu join the winning side of the leger? Or will the Pouākai erase the memory of their poor performance by keeping the Kāhu winless and on the bottom rung of the ladder?
Rapid Watch:
The Pouākai have found timely scoring across the roster, while Kāhu’s youth brigade led by Emma Schroeder and Azure Anderson keeps trending up. First-shot defense and late-clock execution decide it.
