ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens 84 def BNZ Northern Kāhu 59 - Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
Queens stamped it early with 31 in the first and won the glass by 12 behind a monster record setting 21-point, 21-rebound night from Penina Davidson as she tied a league record for rebounds in a game (Ashten Prechtel, Hoiho 2023). Stella Beck and Jihyun Park added 16 each, while Lou Brown posted 15 and 13. Abi Curtin led the visitors, but Kāhu shot cold and could not keep the Queens off the offensive boards. An impressive performance as the Queens move to equal wins on top of the table with the Whai despite not having Kristy Wallace, the leagues 3rd leading scorer and tops in assists, as they imposed their physicality on the game for the full 40 minutes.
Top performers: Davidson 21p 21r, Beck 16p, Park 16p; Curtin 13p, Reinoehl 9p 10r.
Rapid League:
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens 44 def BNZ Northern Kāhu 14
A defensive clinic from the Queens. They held Kāhu to 6-27 FG and 1-12 3P, forcing 9 steals and allowing just 5 second-half points. Keriana-Marie Hippolite and Brooke Basham scored 10 apiece, Briarley Rogers added 9. Keeley Tini had 8 for Kāhu but it was a slog for the Kāhu, who despite winning two in a row coming into the round, but the top of the table Queens showed the difference between the top and bottom of the ladder.
No games today.
Southern Hoiho vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens - Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Rapid 2.00pm, Tauihi 3.00pm
Live on Sky Sport 4
Frontcourt battle: Jessie Edwards and Rebecca Pizzey test the league’s form duo of Penina Davidson and Lou Brown. The Queens have been determined to work the low post but the Hoiho have the length, and the depth (with Zoe Richards off the pine) to make the Queens rethink their post focused strategy.
Table-setting: Paige Bradley has topped 50 assists for the season and has been slicing defenses in the half court and transition with her pinpoint accurate assists. Can the Queens adapt with multiple handlers as Kristy Wallace sits for the second straight game?
Arc vs paint: The Hoiho need Pizzey and Lil Dart spacing to loosen the lane while drawing the frontcourt of the Queens out of the paint where they feel a wee less comfortable. The Queens will pound second-chance points after dominating O-boards on Friday but still have the shooting of Park and Beck to lean on if the well down low dries up.
Projected Tauihi starters
Hoiho: Paige Bradley, Claire Jacobs, Taylah Simmons, Rebecca Pizzey, Jessie Edwards
Queens: Pahylss Hokianga, Stella Beck, Jihyun Park, Penina Davidson, Lou Brown
Projected Rapid starters
Hoiho: Tia Pavihi, Samara Gallaher, Lil Dart, Eva Langton, Zoe Richards
Queens: Keriana-Marie Hippolite, Nahala Toeleiu, Paige Burrows, Brooke Basham, Briarley Rogers
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai vs The Probuild ITM Mainland Pouākai - Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga
Rapid 5.30pm, Tauihi 6.30pm
Live on Sky Sport 4
Star wings and boards: Emme Shearer is fresh off a 26-point game winner week; Laina Snyder just crossed 500 career points and chases 300 rebounds and Mikayla Cowling has been lurking offensively while dominating on the defensive end. Pouākai counter with Marena Whittle’s all-court punch and Esra McGoldrick and McKenna Dales two-way impact open up the paint for Abi Fogg and Charlotte Whittaker to dominate the glass. A plethora of talent will be facing off but who will be able to step above the crowd and lift their team's chances?
Guard orchestration: Jess McDowell-White’s tempo and creation against Morgan Yaeger’s drive and kick game. Both have been tremendous and are key to their offenses reaching the highest level of efficiency. Can one of these star pg's find a way to slow their opposite on the defensive end?
Rapid X-factor: Emma Rogers’ scoring load for Pouākai is inching closer to returning but as she's still expected to remain sideline who from the Pouākai can counter Jade Kirisome’s league-leading 77 points for Whai?
Projected Tauihi starters
Whai: Jessica McDowell-White, Mikayla Cowling, Emme Shearer, Laina Snyder, Hannah Hank
Pouākai: Morgan Yaeger, Taylor Mikesell, Marena Whittle, McKenna Dale, Abi Fogg
Projected Rapid starters
Whai: Sophia Locandro, Sophie Rogers, Jade Kirisome, Graecyn Parahi, Laura Kuka
Pouākai: Emma Rogers, Olivia O’Neill, Ava Jones, Kavanah Lene, Charlotte Whittaker
