Game Preview: Hoiho v Pouākai 12/10/24

Game tahi is done and dusted, and it is fair to say that Tauihi has leveled up yet again! While our ladies couldn’t quite seal the deal up north, they now head down south to take on the Southern Hoiho in Dunners this Saturday.

If you missed our season opener and are keen for a recap of our first hit out, read all about it here.

Before we break down this upcoming southern squareoff, might I add, those new Pouākai threads were looking spectacular! Now, let’s delve into some basketball.


Game Info

Saturday, October 12th, 2024. 

Rapid League: 6:30 PM. Tauihi: 7:30pm.

Edgar Centre, Dunedin.

Watch live on Sky Sport 2 (NZ), ESPN3 (USA), FIBA YouTube (Globally)


Match-Up History

Last season’s Pouākai managed a 1-2 record versus the Hoiho, which included a monster 102-61 beatdown led by Esra McGoldrick (21 points, 13 rebounds).

This year’s Hoiho are notably smaller in stature, with 2023 Tauihi MVP Ashten Prechtel being exchanged for 6’2” centre Samantha Bowman (12.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg). Despite that change, the Hoiho have entered 2024 with a fair amount of returning talent, namely the trio of Paige Bradley, Ahlise Hurst, and Zoe Richards, who accounted for 57.7 ppg as a collective against the Pouākai last season.

The head-on contest between Kiwis McGoldrick (14.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg in 2023) and Richards (16.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg in 2023) will be one of note tomorrow, especially considering both players were finalists for the 2023 Most Improved Player award. 

Speaking of Kiwis though, when it came to last season it was Sharne Robati who took her game up a notch in the battle for the South, posting an average of 15.3 ppg on 55.2% shooting.

Both squads will be hungry for their first win in T3, with the Hoiho sitting at 0-2 and the Pouākai 0-1. 


The Hot Topic: Can Forbes & Hurst Bounce Back?

Let’s talk about shooting guards – very good ones at that. Ahlise Hurst (Hoiho) and McKenzie Forbes (Pouākai) are walking buckets. They’re the kind of scorers that will have you picking up a ball and trying it out for yourself because they make it look THAT easy.

But alas, the opening round wasn’t too kind to these stars. 

Despite putting up 16 points versus the Tokomanawa Queens, Hurst struggled mightily against the Northern Kāhu. Her second outing of the Hoiho’s road trip saw her shoot just 1-11 from the floor. This is a far cry from the standard she set last season, where she was 7th on the Tauihi scoring ladder at 18.6 points per game.

Similarly, Forbes – a young wing renowned for her ability to put the ball in the basket – experienced an out-of-character performance in her Tauihi debut. While Forbes did tally 15 points (and find other ways to contribute across the board), she made only 5 of her 23 attempts.

Both Hurst and Forbes are potent offensive guards in this league and are without a doubt capable of turning their luck around. As a fan, look for Hurst and Forbes to find their rhythm and give us an exciting head-to-head matchup tomorrow.


Injury Report (as of 11/10/24)

Southern Hoiho
All Available

Mainland Pouākai
QUESTIONABLE – Tara Manumaleuga
QUESTIONABLE – Tessa Morrison


Tickets Available Now

Fly fearless with us this season and support the Pouākai at our home opener against the Northern Kāhu on October 19th.

Purchase tickets here!