Northern Kahu a worthy favourite for title Tauihi Basketball
As Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa heads into its playoffs this weekend in Nelson, Jeff Cheshire casts his eye over the contenders. The schedule
Northern Kahu
Record:
Key players:
The rub: Stumbled with a couple of losses late in the season, but the Kahu enters as hot favourite. Tupaea has just completed an MVP season and is part of
Semifinals
Kahu v Mid North Whai; 8pm, Tokomanawa Queens v Mainland Pouakai
(tomorrow): 6pm
Final
a lineup that has both topend quality and depth. Cocks is equally dangerous and brings plenty of experience, while the likes of Krystal LegerWalker and Marte Grays are similarly capable of taking over a game. Capable of threatening at the hoop, but can equally be deadly from range. At times this team has played at a level above the rest of the league.
Tokomanawa Queens
Record:
Key players:
Chagas.
The rub: Beat the Kahu by a point without key local Stella Beck last week. Another team with a very useful topend and a slick import backcourt duo in Nared and Chagas. Begin to get very young as they go deeper into their bench, but should have enough to challenge for the title.
Mainland Pouakai
Record: 66.
Key players: Trinity Baptiste, Erin Whalen.
The rub: Lost key local Mary Goulding to injury a month ago. There is enough depth in this Pouakai team to cover for that, though. In Whalen it has one of the league’s best shooters, while Baptiste and fellow import Jailin Cherry are electric threats from the outside. Local Tessa Boagni provides a strong inside presence. Their record is perhaps somewhat deceiving, as the Pouakai were affected more than others by 3x3 Commonwealth Games absences during the season.
Mid North Whai
Record: 57
Key players: Kyra Lambert, Tiarna Clarke.
The rub: Have a strong topend, although this team struggles when it has to go more than six deep. Lambert is a doeverything star, while Clarke gives it arguably the most potent threepoint threat in the league. Maybe a long shot to win this weekend, although certainly has enough talent to cause an upset if it fires.
Tough week to be a Liverpool fan. Although, if I don’t bring it up, I’ll no doubt hear about from the supporters of that other team that wears red. In all seriousness, Tuesday’s 21 win was huge for Manchester United. It is difficult to see Liverpool getting back into the title race from here. Manchester City remains a clear favourite, despite dropping points. Arsenal has had a fantastic start and Gabriel Jesus is making a huge difference there, although the Gunners are yet to be tested by a genuinely tough opponent.