We’re back! With less than a month until the 2024 GJ Gardner Homes Tauihi season tips off, it’s time to deliver the first Think Tank to get your thoughts percolating on your favourite teams and players.
Northern Kāhu
If you THINK the Kāhu are hoping to emulate their 2023 championship heroics THEN you'll know that process starts by bringing back some of their silverware boasting stars and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Penina Davidson, Krystal Leger-Walker, Iimar’I Thomas, Tahlia Tupaea, Azure Anderson, Elianna Tuaiti and Bailey Flavell are all back for season 2024. The biggest blows from that 2023 star-studded team is the loss of Tera Reed, who will remain in Australia in the WNBL while import Aussie Tess Madgen has retired leaving the Kahu with a couple of key championship caliber spots to fill even with the majority of the squad returning.
Mainland Pouākai
If you THINK the Pouākai are looking for the right formula when it comes to their head coach THEN please welcome Australian Paul Flynn, who becomes the team’s third coach in three seasons. Flynn comes in with years of experience coaching in the women’s game, including a successful stint alongside Guy Molloy in the WNBL. Will we see the Pouākai rise all the way to the top in 2024 with a new voice leading the charge?
Southern Hoiho
If you THINK the Hoiho were pleased with their star import guard combination last season THEN the re-signing of Ahlise Hurst and Paige Bradley was clearly a priority heading into 2024 … and they’ve nailed it with both guards putting pen to paper and returning to Dunedin for another Tauihi season. With that backcourt set who will be dealing damage up-front?
Tauranga Whai
If you THINK the Whai needed to make big decisions in pursuit of a first championship THEN none came bigger in the off-season than the decision to move on from head coach Mel Bennett. In an intriguing move, General Manager of the Whai Alex Stojkovic has swapped hats and the noted coach will take over the whiteboard in season 3, opening the door for the Tokomanawa Queens to swoop in and sign Bennett to its coaching staff led once again by Tania Tupu. What effect will the coach swapping have on these squads as they look to track down a title?
Tokomanawa Queens
If you THINK star Argentinian and WNBA-drafted guard Florencia Chagas made a positive impression in Tauihi 2022 THEN it’s little wonder the Queens were over the moon when the competition’s first ever Grand Final MVP agreed to return to Wellington for the 2024 season. Her legion of fans will be thrilled with the news but the oppenents? Maybe less so.
