Northern K¯ahu setting hot pace
Mark the Northern Kā hu down as early season favourites for the inaugural Tauihi title.
The Auckland-Northland based side continued its perfect start to the new professional women’s basketball league, improving to 3-0.
Saturday’s 76-69 win over the Mainland Pouā kai in Nelson was fiercely fought, but the Kāhu prevailed with Australian guard Tahlia Tupaea taking over late in the game.
It sets up a juicy top of the table showdown on Wednesday against the Mid-North Whai at Eventfinda Stadium on the North Shore.
Tupaea has been one of the best players in the competition over the opening two weeks and again demonstrated her class.
She top-scored for the Kāhu with 24 points and hit several crunch baskets late in the contest.
The 25-year-old was drafted 36th overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and has been a key contributor for the Canberra Capitals in Australia’s WNBL.
Trailing 19-12 after the first quarter, the Kā hu were formidable defensively in the second term, restricting the Pouākai to six points.
Leading 50-47 approaching the last quarter it was anyone’s game, but Tupaea was the differencemaker down the stretch.
American import Marte Grays added impact off the bench, contributing 15 points and three steals. Veteran Tall Fern Micaela Cocks chimed in with 15 points, while Krystal Leger-Walker provided a bit of everything with seven points, eight assists and five rebounds.
The Pouākai were missing Mary Goulding and Ella Fotu, representing New Zealand at the 3x3 Fiba Asia Cup. They received strong service from American duo Trinity Baptiste and Erin Whalen, who combined for 48 of their 69 points.
Baptiste, who battled foul trouble in the first half, collecting three, didn’t pick up another after halftime and shone with 28 points on 11-12 shooting.
The Southern Hoiho remain the only winless team, dropping both games in round two to fall to 0-4.
On Friday, they were outclassed 65-38 by the Whai in Queenstown and then lost 87-60 to the Tokomanawa Queens in Wellington yesterday.
The Hoiho led the Whai 25-24 at halftime, but were crushed 29-5 in a dominant third quarter showing from the visitors, who took control of the game.
They again struggled against the Queens in the capital, who outscored the Hoiho 45-28 in the second half.
It was a balanced scoring attack from the Queens, who were paced by 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals from American standout Jaime Nared.
Swedish forward Elin Gustavsson (15 points-12 rebounds), Argentine guard Florencia Chagas (14 points-six assists) and Tall Fern Stella Beck (17 points) were also impressive in the win.
The Queens are back in action against the Pouākai in Christchurch tomorrow.