Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga, Sky Broadband Rapid League 6:30pm, Tauihi 7:30pm
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Where to Watch: Sky Sport 4 (NZ), ESPN3 (USA), FIBA YouTube (other global markets)
WHAI: PG Jessica McDowell-White, W Mikayla Cowling, W Emme Shearer, PF Laina Snyder, C Hannah Hank
HOIHO: PG Paige Bradley, SG Claire Jacobs, SF Taylah Simmons, PF Rebecca Pizzey, C Jessie Edwards
Tauranga couldn't find the range from deep as they hit just one of their first 15 attempts from 3-point land, allowing a Queens side to take a double digit lead in the third quarter. Hannah Hank and Mikayla Cowling led the Whai back into the game, but in the end the hole was too deep to dig out of as the Whai went down 84-78.
The Hoiho pressed the Pouākai in the first half as they opened the season on the road as Claire Jacobs was firing from deep to see her squad down 5 at half-time. But in the third quarter the Hoiho ran into a buzzsaw as the Pouākai would score 67 points in the second half and eventually go 17-39 from three point land to score a league record 121 points to hand their Southern neighbours a 38-point loss.
Rebound response - Both teams got cleaned up on the glass last time out. Will Snyder and Hank control the glass for the Whai or will Pizzey and Edwards get the upper hand?
3-point math - Whai need early makes; a cold start against the Queens made a comeback tough sledding, and the length of the Hoiho will try to run them off the arc.
Foul discipline at the point - keeping Bradley on the floor stabilises the Hoiho half-court offense, but expect the Whai to challenge her defensively.
Scoring Wings - Cowling (13pts, 10rbs, 6ast) had a cold night (5-19 fg) but came up big late as she stuffed the stat sheet to drive the Whai comeback that came up short, while Claire Jacobs topped the 20 point mark at the half before the game got out of hand. If either can keep up the pace for the full 40 their team will be in the driver seat.
WHAI: Tayla Dalton, Jade Kirisome, Sophie Rogers, Sophia Locandro, Laura Kuka
HOIHO: Alana Paewai, Sammy Gallaher, Lil Dart, Eva Langton, Tia Pavihi
Guard pressure - Can either teams frontline of defense eat up ball handlers? The team that breaks early pressure leading to early possession three's will get the upper hand.
Extra shots - Locandro/Parahi vs Langton/Pavihi on the glass for second-chance points, the team that comes together as a collective to secure the defensive boards is one step closer to a win.
Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua - Rapid League 2pm, Tauihi 3pm
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Watch: Sky Sport 3 (NZ), ESPN3 (USA), FIBA YouTube (other global markets)
The Queens jumped on the Whai early from deep and crashed the glass to pull down 16 offensive boards leading to a 12-rebound advantage on the glass. But the shooting cooled in the second half opening the door for a spirited comeback that cut the lead to 4-points with 30 seconds to go. But then Penina Davidson (13pts, 11rbs) iced the game from the line to seal the 6 point win.
The Pouākai took on the Kāhu in the second leg of their opening round double header, slowly out of the blocks as they went down 10 in the opening term. But the Pouākai would methodically work their way back, controlling the defensive glass to ignite transition opportunities as Taylor Mikesell (23pts, 10rbs) and Marena Whittle (20pts, 7rbs) found range from deep to build a 9-point lead in the opening minutes of the third. But the Kāhu pushed back to retake the lead down the stretch. But the Pouākai would respond behind behind their leading scorers, before McKenna Dale would seal the game at the line to take the 5-point lead.
QUEENS: PG Kristy Wallace, SG Bec Cole, W Riley Lupfer, PF Jihyun Park, C Penina Davidson
POUĀKAI: PG Taylor Mikesell, SG Morgan Yaeger, F Marena Whittle, F Mckenna Dale, C Abi Fogg
Pace and space vs discipline – Pouākai volume threes meet Queens’ post-and-perimeter balance will determine the pace and style of this contest.
Arc gravity – Cole/Lupfer stretch help rules with their range while Mikesell/Whittle punish late switches or defenders that don't step above the three point arc in on-ball action.
The glass - These teams dominated the glass in the opening round, but which teams strength will prove to be the stronger?
Middle eight minutes – bench minutes around the change in quarters (2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th) will be key. Can the back ups hold the fort or even build leads?
QUEENS: Keriana-Maria Hippolite, Pahlyss Hokianga, Stella Beck, Lou Brown, Josephine Trousdell
POUĀKAI: Olivia O’Neill, Emma Rogers, Kavanah Lene, Esra McGoldrick, Charlotte Whittaker
Switchability vs size – Beck/Brown’s savvy against McGoldrick/Whittaker’s size and board work will determine pace of the game and the focus of teams offensive attacks.
Turnover game – Hippolite/Hokianga will be looking to create live-ball steals and the Pouākai must value possession in response.
Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland — Rapid League 2pm, Tauihi 3pm
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Watch: Sky Sport 4 (NZ), ESPN3 (USA), FIBA YouTube (other global markets), Sky Sport NZ Tik Tok Livestream
The Kāhu jumped out to an early lead on a Pouākai team playing their second game of the weekend but couldn't keep the visitors from bending the possession game to their favour with board work. Haleigh Reinoehl (31pts) carried the offense early while Jasmyn Roberts(19pts,) and Abi Curtin (17pts) found form late to help push the Kāhu into the lead. But the defensive execution fell short down the stretch and the comeback went with it, as the Kāhu fell 88-83.
The Hoiho's first round game started well, as Claire Jacobs dropped 22 first half points to help the Southerners keep pace with a high octane Pouākai offense. But they squad couldn't keep control of the glass and second chance opportunities fueled a record making offensive performance as the Hoiho couldn't keep up, to eventually fall to a 121-83 defeat.
KĀHU: G Lauren Mansfield, G Aliyah Matharu, G Jasmyne Roberts, G Tahlia Tupaea, C Haleigh Reinoehl
HOIHO: PG Paige Bradley, SG Claire Jacobs, W Taylah Simmons, PF Rebecca Pizzey, C Jessie Edwards
Rebound test for small ball – Kāhu must gang rebound to keep Edwards/Richards off the rim while the Hoiho collective needs to make an impact on the glass at both ends of the court.
Point-of-attack and close-outs – can the Kāhu chase Jacobs off clean looks and flatten Bradley’s PNR menu? Can the Hoiho keep out of rotation when the Kāhu look to peneterate?
Free throws vs threes – if the Hoiho live at the stripe it tilts the game towards the half-court but if the Kāhu find the arc early the tempo spikes and plays into the hands of the home side.
KĀHU: Azure Anderson, Keija Miringaorangi, Mary Morton-Jones, Keeley Tini, Vitolia Tuilave
HOIHO: Alana Paewai, Sammy Gallaher, Lil Dart, Eva Langton, Tia Pavihi
Pace vs length - Anderson/Miringaorangi need tempo while the Hoiho RL squad leans on physicality and boardwork, which strategy wins out?
Corner 3s vs paint touches - Using pace to find corners early is key for Kāhu but the Hoiho want rim pressure and trips to the stripe.
