G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 85 def. BNZ Northern Kāhu 67
The Whai got up early and stayed on top with a complete team performance. Emme Shearer found her groove with 21, while Mikayla Cowling and Laina Snyder each added 17 and tough defense all over the court while Jess McDowell-White went a perfect 5-for-5 for her 13 points. The Kāhu battled to the end behind Haliegh Reinoehl’s double-double (14pt and 14rb), getting 13 from Lauren Mansfield and 11 from Abi Curtin and some penetrating passes from Tahlia Tupaea, but the result means are still hunting their first win of the season while the Whai lock down their 5th straight victory to strengthen their grip on the top rung of the ladder
Top performers
Whai: Emme Shearer 21 PTS, 4 REB; Mikayla Cowling 17 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST; Laina Snyder 17 PTS, 11 REB.
Kāhu: Haliegh Reinoehl 14 PTS, 14 REB; Lauren Mansfield 13 PTS, 7 AST; Abigail Curtin 11 PTS.
Sky Broadband Rapid League
Whai 42 def. Kāhu 39 (OT)
A thriller that needed extra time. where Sophia Locandro set the tone for Whai with 15pts where she carried the offense early and came back with key buckets late. The Kāhu forced OT on Emma Schroeder’s clutch free throws, and while the Whai failed to get a shot off at the end of regulation, they were able to close in out in the extra minute of play to keep Kāhu winless in the 2025 Rapid season.
Top performers
Whai: Sophia Locandro 15 PTS, 6 REB; Graecyn Parahi 5 PTS.
Kāhu: Azure Anderson 11 PTS; Emma-Kaye Schroeder 7 PTS, 3 AST.
Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Cowles Stadium, Christchurch — Rapid 6:30pm, Tauihi 7:30pm - Live on Sky Sport 2
Weather Watch: The Queens have experienced travel disruptions due to severe weather across Aotearoa, with several flights cancelled and the team broken up onto different flights with some departing yesterday and the final members of the roster expected to land today. Will the disruptions carry over to their play on the court?
Tauihi watch: Mikesell and Whittle’s perimeter punch meets the effort and energy of Kristy Wallace and Stella Beck on the perimeter while the frontcourt of Abi Fogg, Esra McGoldrick and Charlotte Whittaker meet up the size and touch of Penina Davidson and Lou Brown, while Jihyun Park skillset to contribute all over the court. With two strong starting lineups ic could be the bench minutes that prove decisive, especially if legs are heavy from travel.
Rapid watch: Table-leading Pouākai are paced by Emma Rogers and strong play in the front court. The Queens counter with the savvy of Pahlyss Hokianga handling the ball and defensive grit of Jo Trousdell. Turnovers and second-chance points will swing the result so look for the D to be turned up a notch or two.
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens vs Southern Hoiho
Sunday 26th Oct - Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua — Rapid 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm - Live on Sky Sport 5 and live streamed on Sky Sport NZ Tik Tok
Tauihi watch: Queens come off the quick turnaround and weather-affected travel, while Hoiho look to build on recent momentum with Paige Bradley, Claire Jacobs and the Pizzey-Edwards interior tandem. Can Queens’ guard play control tempo and keep Hoiho off the glass? Or will the second game and extended travel schedule impact the Queens and let the Hoiho steal a road win?
Rapid watch: Two of the competitions top defensive units match up, but they also top flight offensive options. Look for battle between the Queens’ pace-to-space versus Hoiho’s physicality at the rim and in the paint to impact the outcome. As always, free throws from the Chemist Warehouse stripe and and late-game composure will matter, giving the Queens (72% free throws) a slight advantage over the Hoiho (64% free throws).
Keep in Mind
Whai keep first place after their 5th straight win and are looking to put some space between themselves and the table in the coming weeks
Kāhu remain winless in both Tauihi and Rapid despite improved effort over the last couple rounds
Pouākai and Queens square off in a marquee Friday that could reshape the top two as we head into the second half of the season
