YESTERDAY
The ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens headed to Auckland last night and successfully took down the BNZ Northern Kāhu, exiting Eventfinda Stadium with a 76-67 win to move to top spot on the G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi ladder.
In a tense game, Jordon Horston again showed her undeniable talent with a game-high 28 points to go with 13 rebounds, but it was the Queen's third quarter defensive masterclass that stood out when they held the Kāhu scoreless for eight minutes. At one stage during the third period the Queens pushed the margin out to 16 points - after nine lead changes in the first half the Queens never game up the lead in the second half.
The Kāhu battled back late and at one stage reduced the margin to just 3 points as Iimar'I Thomas started to find baskets after what had been a quiet night to that point for the star forward, but it was a big Stella Beck offensive rebound in the dying stages of the game ensured a Queens win.
Penina Davidson and Tahlia Tupaea played well for the home team, while Lou Brown and Beck were pivotal alongside Horston for the Queens. An uncharacteristic 17 turnovers by the Kāhu highlighted the defensive pressure applied by the Queens, and those turnovers were punished to the tune of 24 points back the other way.
With the win, the Queens edged one step closer to securing a home semi-final, but in an interesting twist the Kāhu were left to ponder a rare situation having now lost two games in a row - next up they face a trip south to play the Hoiho next Thursday night.
TODAY
We head to Christchurch today where the ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai will host The Northern Group Tauranga Whai - question is, which Pouākai team will we see? Paul Flynn's team have beaten the Kāhu twice this season and also performed a miracle comeback to take down the Queens, but for some reason they don't match-up well with the Whai.
In a season that has been filled with so many close games, the Whai have had little trouble against the Pouākai, beating them 98-80 and 91-71 in their two previous meetings. If the Pouākai are to win, they need to find a way to limit the Whai's potent scoring ability - they simply can't expect Ashley Joens, Mikayala Cowling, Lara McSpadden, McKenna Dale and Laina Snyder to have an off-night. Match-ups will be crucial, especially on Joens and Cowling who seem to be quickly growing their partnership on court.
The battle between Cassandra Brown and McSpadden will be one to watch, while McKenzie Forbes must at a minimum go toe-to-toe with Joens in scoring. The secret weapon for the Pouākai could be Esra McGoldrick who has the advantage of a bit of length on Snyder, while for the Whai look for McKenna Dale to have a big game as she contiues to find her role in the starting unit.
Overall, the match-up on Cowling will likely decide this game - Cowling is running the point right now for the Whai and that will potentially present a nightmare for the Pouākai - do they go with an undersized Mikhaela Cann or match Cowling for a bit of size by pushing Haleigh Reinoehl into unfamiliar waters?
WHAT: ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
WHEN: Friday November 15
WHERE: Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
TIME: Rapid League @ 6:30pm / Tauihi @ 7:30pm
TICKETS: Click HERE
TOMORROW
Let's double up and call it 'tomorrow-tomorrow' because we have a free Saturday in Tauihi this week, instead we're talking Sunday action with the Queens back at home for the first time since R3 to front up against the Southern Hoiho. The Queens sit atop the ladder after a 76-67 win over the Kāhu on Thursday night, a victory that showcased the defensive ability of the Queens.
Last week the Hoiho took it to the Queens in an 82-81 thriller, the Queens coming out on top despite the absence of Jordan Horston.
Sunday's game will be played at TSB Bank Arena on Wellington's waterfront with a record Tauihi crowd on the cards and it presents as a tough environment and atmosphere awaiting the Hoiho.
Horston returned to action against the Kāhu and promptly dropped a game-high 28 points, so expect her to keep rolling with the Hoiho needing to find a match-up, a duty that is likely to fall to Natalie Chou. The other key clash for the Hoiho to think about will involve Lou Brown, who in two meetings this season has torched the southerners - look for Brown to make it a perfect trifecta.
The Queens are at full strength and will start favourites to complete their first double of the season.
WHAT: ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens vs Southern Hoiho
WHEN: Sunday November 17
WHERE: TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
TIME: Rapid League @ 2pm / Tauihi @ 3pm
TICKETS: Click HERE
