Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Rapid League 6:30pm, Tauihi 7:30pm
Live on Sky Sport 2
Last Time Out
The Hoiho met the Queens in Porirua and went toe to toe with their hosts, but eventually fell 88-76. After trailing by double digits at halftime, the Hoiho roared out with a 9–0 third-quarter burst led by Lil Dart to trim the margin back to within four. However, defensive lapses were punished by Penina Davidson’s interior finishing and Kristy Wallace’s control of the tempo, while Pahlyss Hokianga hit timely shots that blunted Hoiho momentum. Despite the fight and a late surge, the hosts’ composure down the stretch kept Hoiho at arm’s length.
The Pouākai lit up Cowles Stadium with a 103–79 statement win over the Queens. Marena Whittle set the tone with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, Esra McGoldrick added 20, and Taylor Mikesell chipped in 19 as the hosts cracked triple figures again while controlling the glass. The Queens battled through with Jihyun Park hitting for 19 with support from Wallce and Beck, but the Pouākai balance, pace and shot-making kept the visitors at arm’s length all night.
Projected Tauihi starters
Hoiho: PG Paige Bradley, SG Claire Jacobs, SF Taylah Simmons, PF Rebecca Pizzey, C Jessie Edwards
Pouākai: SG Taylor Mikesell, PG Morgan Yaeger, F Marena Whittle, F McKenna Dale, C Abi Fogg
Glass and paint: Pouākai size and shot volume meet the Hoiho interior tandem. Second-chance points will swing momentum for whichever team controls the o boards, a tough ask for either squad.
3-point range vs rim protection: Mikesell and Whittle stretch help rules, while Fogg, McGoldrick and Whittaker offer scoring punch down low and fearsome board work. Jessie Edwards anchors the Hoiho at the rim, Jacobs is the key scoring threat on the perimeter while Bec Pizzey offers up plenty in both areas.
Tempo control: Paige Bradley game management versus the explosive penetration as Morgan Yaeger returns to the lineup. Even with the battles down low the pg's will control the pace, while having the skill set to lift their own scoring games as well.
Hoiho notes
Jessie Edwards had 2 blocks last outing and leads the league with 13 at 2.2 per game.
Upcoming: Zoe Richards needs 3 rebounds to become only the fourth player to reach 250 career boards.
Upcoming: Paige Bradley needs 1 assist to become the second player to reach 200 Tauihi career assists.
Pouākai notes
Marena Whittle scored 22 against Queens and leads the league in total points at 133, averaging 22.2, with five 20-plus games in six.
Upcoming: McKenna Dale needs 1 assist to reach 100 career assists, the eighth player to the mark and the fourth Kiwi.
Projected Rapid starters
Hoiho: Tia Pavihi, Sammy Gallaher, Lil Dart, Eva Langton, Zoe Richards
Yellow i Glass Pouākai: Emma Rogers, Olivia O’Neill, Ava Jones, Kavanah Lene, Charlotte Whittaker
Finishing and boards: Pouākai offensive rebounding and efficient finishing have driven results.
X-factors: Emma Rogers keeps stacking double-figure games, while Hoiho look to generate easy points from stops.
Rapid notes
Pouākai: Emma Rogers leads the Rapid League with 76 points and is the only player to hit double figures in all six games.
Hoiho: Eva Langton scored a season-high 9 last game and needs 9 more to reach 150 Rapid career points.
Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga
Rapid League 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Live on Sky Sport 3
Last Time Out
The Whai stayed on top of the table with a convincing 85-67 win over the BNZ Northern Kāhu. Emme Shearer found her groove to lead a balanced starting unit that had all five starters in double figures before the fourth quarter. Jessica McDowell-White was perfect from the field at 5 of 5, while Mikayla Cowling and Laina Snyder brought constant energy and production at both ends. The Kāhu battled behind a Haliegh Reinoehl double-double and solid outings from Lauren Mansfield and Abi Curtin, but the Whai pace, punch and control carried the night heading into the midpoint of the regular season.
The Queens turned on the style to beat Southern Hoiho 88-76. Captain Stella Beck set the tone with efficient two-way play, Penina Davidson owned the paint as Kristy Wallace steered the offense. The starting unit found rhythm early, punished defensive lapses, and stretched the lead to double figures in the second quarter. With Beck and Wallace flawless heading into the break, the Queens took a 54–40 halftime advantage and kept Hoiho at arm’s length the rest of the way to claim the 88-76 victory.
Projected Tauihi starters
Whai: PG Jessica McDowell-White, W Mikayla Cowling, W Emme Shearer, PF Laina Snyder, C Hannah Hank
Queens: PG Kristy Wallace, W Stella Beck, F Jihyun Park, PF Penina Davidson, C Lou Brown
Boards battle: Whai offer rebounding punch through Laina Snyder and Hannah Hank but it meets the Queens duo of Penina Davidson and Lou Brown in what is shaping up as a titanic frontcourt battle
Guard orchestration: Kristy Wallace table-setting versus Jessica McDowell-White offensive conduction that has shown off a hot hand from deep lately. Both will be tough to slow down but the pg that impacts the game defensively will give their squad the upper hand.
Turnover game: Queens thrive when they win possessions on the perimeter so the Whai need clean entries to the block. The Queens will similarly look to hit the post with consistency but face a fearsome defensive test.
Whai notes
Versus Kāhu: Jade Kirisome scored 4 to pass 200 career points, the 12th Kiwi to the milestone.
Laina Snyder logged 2 assists to reach 100 career assists, seventh to the mark. She leads the league with 65 rebounds at 10.8 per game.
Upcoming: Emme Shearer needs 6 points to reach 100 this season.
Queens notes
Versus Hoiho: Kristy Wallace had 9 assists and leads the league with 45 at 7.7 per game.
Penina Davidson scored 18 to become the 10th player, and fifth Kiwi, to 400 career points.
Upcoming: Davidson needs 1 rebound to become the first player to reach 300 Tauihi career rebounds.
Projected Rapid starters
Tauranga Whai: Sophia Locandro, Sophie Rogers, Jade Kirisome, Graecyn Parahi, Laura Kuka
Tokomanawa Queens: Keriana-Marie Hippolite, Pahlyss Hokianga-Heather, Paige Burrows, Josie Trousdell, Briarley Rogers
Identity clash: Whai perimeter volume versus Queens balanced scoring and disciplined late-game execution.
Bench punch: Who can find impact off the pine to tilt momentum and grab control with pace of play.
Rapid notes
Queens: Four wins on the bounce, now 5-1 after winning only four total a season ago. Grace Hunter needs 7 for 100 Rapid points. Keriana Hippolite needs 5 for 100.
Whai: Sophia Locandro 15 was a season best by a Whai player. Jade Kirisome scored 8 and needs 6 more to reach 150 Rapid career points.
Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Rapid League 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Live on Sky Sport 2
Last Time Out
The Pouākai piled on points at home, defeating the ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens 103-79 in a statement win that keeps the title race tight above us on the ladder. From a Tauranga perspective, the takeaways are clear ahead of future meetings with both clubs. The Pouākai punished switches and ran in waves, with Marena Whittle filling every column and Esra McGoldrick stretching the floor while protecting the rim. Taylor Mikesell’s shot-making continues to demand top-lock attention. For the Queens, Jihyun Park’s versatility and Kristy Wallace’s orchestration still travel well, but when we next see them the glass and transition defence will be key battlegrounds, a reminder that controlling pace and the boards is non-negotiable against the Pouākai.
The Kāhu battled in patches but could not stem the Whai's balanced scoring, falling 85-67 on the road. Emme Shearer found rhythm early for the Whai and all five of their starters reached double figures before the fourth, putting scoreboard pressure on throughout. For the Kāhu, Haliegh Reinoehl set the tone with a hard-earned double double and Lauren Mansfield organised and kept the team connected. Abi Curtin added punch, but second-chance points and transition threes proved costly as they slipped to a 0-6 start to the season.
Projected Tauihi starters
Pouākai: PG Morgan Yaeger, SG Taylor Mikesell F Marena Whittle, F McKenna Dale, C Abi Fogg
Kāhu: PG Tahlia Tupaea, G Aliyah Matharu, F Haleigh Reinoehl, F Abigail Curtin, PG Lauren Mansfield
Urgency factor: Kāhu seek their first win and will lean on guard creation and speed to try and combat the sheer size and strength of the Pouākai front line. Can they finally will themselves to victory or with the home side strengthen their grip near the top of the ladder?
Inside-out counters: Haleigh Reinoehl pick-and-pop and glass work against Pouākai length and shot-blocking will be key, but if the middy isn't falling shot creation will have to come from the ball handlers at a higher rate then has been shown so far this season.
Late-game execution: Fourth quarters have defined both clubs, including both play in tight spots and the inability to keep pace when the offense is flowing. Shot selection and foul discipline will be key but this has the feel of a game that will go to the squad that wants it more.
Pouākai notes
Whittle remains the league leading scorer and a three-point magnet in late-clock situations.
Upcoming: McKenna Dale sits one assist shy of 100 career.
Kāhu notes
The losing streak has reached eight games, the two playoff games to finish 2024 and the first six this season.
Versus Whai: Haleigh Reinoehl posted 14 points and 14 rebounds, equaling her career high on the glass in her second year in the competition.
In her comeback game Krystal Leger-Walker had 2 assists to become the first player to 200 Tauihi career assists in her 41st game.
Upcoming: Reinoehl needs 7 points for 100 this season and 10 for 300 career points.
Projected Rapid starters
Mainland Pouākai: Emma Rogers, Olivia O’Neill, Ava Jones, Kavanah Lene, Charlotte Whittaker
Northern Kāhu: Azure Anderson, Emma-Kaye Schroeder, Vitolia Tuilave, Mary Morton-Jones, Keeley Tini
Possession pressure: Pouākai can snowball games with second-chance points and stops. Kāhu need to limit one-and-done trips.
Young guns by game, Emma by name: Keep an eye on Emma Schroeder confidence after her recent scoring burst as her matchup vs Emma Rogers will be a determining factor. Which superstar scorer can tilt the game in her favour?
Rapid notes
Kāhu: Azure Anderson scored 11 to move past 150 Rapid career points, joining Pahlyss Hokianga as the only players at that mark.
League-wide Rogers family note: Emma leads 2025 scoring with 76, Briarley is third with 53, Sophie is 10th with 39. Briarley leads three-point percentage at 44 percent, Emma leads two-point percentage at 61 percent, Sophie leads free-throw percentage at 84 percent.
