G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi
The Southern Hoiho (80) protect the house, upsetting top of the table Tokomanawa Queens (73) in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
After starting the season losing two on the bounce, the Southern Hoiho have recorded back to back wins after edging out the Tokomanawa Queens at home. The game was an extremely physical contest, with the Queens Penina Davidson looking to take the role of dominator under the rim early on. If Davidson was going to dominate the paint, Paige Bradley was going to dominate the rest of the field, applying some great early touches to keep the Hoiho in touch and eventually start to pull away. Jihyun Park showed her class, weaving through traffic to feed Davidson and Louise Brown while also registering 17 points for herself. The last quarter brought some desperation play from the Queens into the equation, clawing the deficit back to 2 points with 2 minutes to go. Stella Beck was immense in this period scoring crucial baskets to keep the visitors within 4. Ultimately the composure of the Hoiho held strong, drawing fouls and sealing the result with 2 cool finishes from free throw line by none other than Paige Bradley.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Southern Hoiho - Paige Bradley 20 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST; Claire Jacobs 15 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST; Rebecca Pizzey 13 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
Tokomanawa Queens - Penina Davidson 22 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST; Jihyun Park 17 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST; Louise Brown 10 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST
Sky Broadband Rapid League
Tokomanawa Queens (30) edge out the Southern Hoiho in a 2pt thriller.
The Queens are back in the Rapid League winners circle after staving off a late comeback from a determined Hoiho side. After looking in control for the majority of the game and maintaining a slim lead the Hoiho threatened to snatch victory through some Lillian Dart brilliance from the 3-point line. The visitors were too strong in the end however, weathering the onslaught and coming out on top with a Paige Burrows free throw to close proceedings.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Southern Hoiho - Lillian Dart 12 PTS, 1 AST; Zoe Richards 5 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
Tokomanawa Queens - Pahlyss Hokianga-Heather 9 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST; Josephine Trousdell 8 PTS, 6REB; Paige Burrows 5 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST
