YESTERDAY
Maybe we should have called this week's edition YYTT because we actually started R5 on Thursday night, which means our first game was yesterday, yesterday. Question is, was this game telling us more about the BNZ Northern Kāhu or about The Northern Group Tauranga Whai? The top-of-the-ladder Kāhu blasted the Whai off the court with a commanding 81-48 win, marking the season's most one-sided game.
Disappointingly for the Whai, a lowly shooing clip of 17% was akin to a horror movie on Halloween. Despite the return of Mikayla Cowling, nothing went right for the Whai and they now find themselves cemented to the foot of the ladder on a five-game losing streak with games against the Hoiho and Pouākai on the horizon.
Put simply, if he Whai fail to arrest this slide in one or both of their next two games then it is highly likely they will be watching from the stands come finals time.
The skies are however much brighter for the Kāhu with another big win to celebrate and also Iimar'I Thomas becoming the first Tauihi player to reach the 500-point club. The 2023 champions power on.
TODAY
As bad as Thursday night was for the Whai they do have an opportunity to quickly regroup, rethink and return to the court to make amends, this time against an in-form visiting Southern Hoiho. Sometimes the best remedy for a poor performance is to get straight back on court and to let your basketball talents do the talking.
The Hoiho though are in a bit of form and will hold no fear, they also have recently beaten the Whai in a game where stopper Natalie Chou completely negated Ashley Joens. It would therefore be staggering if Chou isn't given the same task this time around.
But let's jump back to the Whai. This is a star-studded team with two WNBA players and also the 2022 Tauihi leading scorer per game. This is a team that should be performing better. All eyes today will be on whether or not the Whai can figure things out and starting playing together as a team at both ends of the floor.
WHAT: The Northern Group Tauranga Whai vs Southern Hoiho
WHERE: Taupo Events Centre
WHEN: Saturday November 2
TIME: Rapid League @ 4pm / Tauihi @ 5pm
WATCH: Live on Sky Sport Select, ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally)
TICKETS: click HERE
TOMORROW
The Tauihi action heads to Christchurch tomorrow where the Pouākai will be hoping to grab a much-needed win against the Queens.
While the Pouākai have shown glimpses of form this season, they have been inconsistent and trying desperately to find the right mix, which hasn't been helped by the absence of Cassandra Brown with a back injury. However, from all reports Brown will return to action in this game, which will be a big boost with the likes of Lou Brown, Jordan Horston, and possibly Tamari Key (ankle) to contend with.
Coming to town is a Queens team that is really starting to look settled. Just the one loss (by 3 points to the Kāhu) so far, and if being brutally honest - the Queens are yet to put a full game together. Jihyun Park is going to be a tough match-up for the Pouākai, who also need to contend with the elite all-round game of Horston.
What we do know is the Pouākai are more than capable of an upset, which they achieved on this court just a fortnight ago against the Kāhu.
WHAT: ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
WHERE: Cowles Stadium
WHEN: Sunday November 3
TIME: Rapid League @ 2pm / Tauihi @ 3pm
WATCH: Live on Sky Sport 3, ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally)
TICKETS: click HERE
