YESTERDAY (or in this case the day before yesterday)
We go back two days for this week's YTT with the Southern Hoiho and BNZ Northern Kāhu playing on Thursday night. While every game in G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi is important given the close competitiveness of this year's competition, this one came with some extra attention given the recent form of both teams.
The Hoiho came in off the back of a memorable win against the Queens in the capital just four days earlier, while the Kāhu hit the court somewhat seeking some answers after two successive losses. We also go to see some of Tauihi's biggest stars doing battle - namely Paige Bradley, Iimar'I Thomas and Tahlia Tupaea.
Despite the build-up and anticipation, the game itself fell flat for the Hoiho with the Kāhu having little trouble in brushing the southerners to one side, winning 91-70 with little fuss. Thomas was the star with 32 points, while Tupaea took on a different role as a distributor and ended with 8 assists - a big jump from her season average of 1.9 dimes per game.
Bradley was extremely well held, which left the task of scoring to Chelsea D'Angelo (23 points) and Nat Chou (21 points). The loss pushed the Hoiho back to the foot of the ladder and with time running out they will need to rediscover form quickly with their remaining games against Pouākai, Kāhu and Whai - at least two wins likely needed to make the playoffs.
TODAY
Off to Tauranga today for a clash between The Northern Group Tauranga Whai and their nemesis BNZ Northern Kāhu. Since the inception of Tauihi, the Whai are yet to win against the Kāhu, and unfortunately the losing margins haven't been pretty.
In two meetings this season, the Kāhu have come out on top 87-75 and 81-48. The 33-point margin was the biggest ever loss for the Whai in Tauihi, and also their second lowest ever score. Whichever way you look at it, the Whai struggle in a major way against the Kāhu.
However, a fresh opportunity and another chance awaits, and this is a game the Whai must win to provide some separation back to the Hoiho on the ladder. The bad news is they are coming off a horrendous performance in Christchurch last week where they lost by 15 points despite taking 27 more shots and winning the offensive rebounds by a whopping 28-5. How the Whai didn't convert those advantages into a win is perplexing.
While nobody doubts the firepower of the Whai, it's their defense that is questionable and with the Kāhu visiting the pressure on the Whai's defense will be extreme. If the Whai can't stand up and win they will be back on the bottom of the ladder by the end of the night.
Where: QEYC, Tauranga
Rapid League: 6:30pm
Tauihi: 7:30pm
TOMORROW
Back to Wellington's waterfront tomorrow for another big crowd at TSB Arena, and no doubt an ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens team seeking redemption after last Sunday's loss to the Hoiho, which cost them top spot on the ladder. Paying them a visit is a team, the ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai, who they will meet again in R10, but a team that stormed home to beat them in R5 when the Queens had what looked like an unassailable lead in the last quarter.
The Pouākai have become the giant killers of season 2024, especially at home, but their form on the road has been a little scratchy save for the takedown of the Kāhu in Auckland.
Loads of good match-up here, especially Esra McGoldrick up against Lou Brown. Look for Jordan Horston to bounce back after a lowly (by her standards) 20 points last week, while how the Queens utilise Tamari Key against Cassandra Brown will be pivotal. Key dominated the Hoiho in the first half last Sunday but looked to have been underused in the second half.
Where: TSB Arena, Wellington.
Rapid League: 2pm
Tauihi: 3pm
