G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 85, Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai 77
Tauranga grabbed a quality road win at Cowles Stadium behind a massive night from Hannah Hank, who poured in 31 points and controlled the paint from tip to buzzer. Laina Snyder added 12 points and 5 assists, and Jessica McDowell-White steered the ship with 13 points and 6 assists. Pouākai started brightly through Marena Whittle (16) and Morgan Yaeger (15), but foul trouble swung momentum and Whai cashed in at the stripe to keep Mainland at arm’s length in the fourth.
Sky Broadband Rapid League
Yellow i Glass Mainland Pouākai 53, The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 29
Pouākai delivered a picture-perfect home win and their 53 points match the Rapid League single-game record set by the Queens last round. Esra McGoldrick led all scorers with 16 points, while Emma Rogers added 15 and started hot with a perfect first quarter in a special sister-vs-sister matchup against Sophie Rogers (7 points). Whai were paced by Shamar Broughton (10) and Jade Kirisome (4), but Mainland’s balance and second-chance punch proved decisive.
Saturday October 11 - Southern Hoiho vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Rapid League 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Watch: Sky Sport 4 from 2:00pm (NZT), ESPN3 in the United States, FIBA YouTube in other global markets
What to look for
Paint vs Perimeter: Hoiho will try to find Claire Edwards at the three point line to keep the offense ticking over while Jesse Edwards looks to claim space down low. The Queens will look to spread the floor with Kristy Wallace and Riley Lupfer on the perimeter and Lou Brown and Penina Davidson up front.
Rebounding Supremacy: Coming off their best effort of the season on the glass can the Hoiho finish possessions on the defensive glass against Davidson, Brown and Jihyun Park.
Turnover Control: Queens thrive when Wallace gets downhill off stops, so Hoiho ball security will shape tempo. Both teams like the bump and grind of the half court but which team will be tempted to push the pace and find opportunity in transition?
Sunday October 12 - BNZ Northern Kāhu vs The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
Rapid League 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Watch: Sky Sport 4 from 2:00pm (NZT), ESPN3 in the United States, FIBA YouTube in other global markets, plus Sky Sport NZ TikTok live on Sundays
What to look for
Guard battle: Tahlia Tupaea and Aliyah Matharu versus Jessica McDowell-White and Emme Shearer will decide pace and late-clock creation. The Kāhu backcourt needs to find some offensive form as they search for their first win of the season, but they can impact the Whai efficiency if they can maintain pressure from tip to buzzer.
Hank’s follow-up: after 31 last night, can Hannah Hank repeat against Kāhu’s collective frontcourt effort? The Kāhu struggled against size in round 2 as Haleigh Reinoehl looks to hold the fort up front, but will there be enough support to keep the Whai frontcourt from dominating the glass?
Whai spacing vs Kāhu pressure: if Mikayla Cowling and Emme Shearer stretch help early, Tauranga’s penetration game opens up while the o-boards get a wee bit easier to grab. The Kāhu have the personnel to defend the perimeter but if they do it for a full 40 minutes the Whai may wear down as they play their second game of the round.
