Due to the shift towards Spring-Summer hoops, it feels like several lifetimes have passed us by between Tauihi seasons. Come on, take a guess at how many days it’s been since we last saw our beloved Pouākai suit up for a game.
If you guessed 401 days, well, that’s oddly specific of you, but accurate!
401 days is a decently long, nay, VERY long time between drinks, and I too have been parched of Pouākai basketball. Thankfully, the Tauihi drought is over, baby! We get our fix of the Mainland variety tomorrow!
The Mainland Pouākai will start the competition away from home this Saturday night, facing the Whai on the first leg of their road trip.
Game Info
Saturday, October 5th, 2024.
Rapid League: 6:30 PM. Tauihi: 7:30pm.
Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga.
Watch live on Sky Sport 2 (NZ), ESPN3 (USA), FIBA YouTube (Globally)
Match-Up History
Despite experiencing differing results in the 2023 win-loss column, just 14 points separated the Pouākai and Whai head-to-head. Last season’s Pouākai had a record of 1-2 against the Whai, toppling the Tauranga-based team once on the road.
With a clean slate and an assortment of new stars joining both teams, the status quo of last season is out the window and tomorrow’s game will set the tone for the season series.
To kick off 2023, Esra McGoldrick and Sharne Robati had a stellar first game against the Whai, combining for 38 points and 19 rebounds. The continued growth of McGoldrick (14.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg in 2023) and Robati (11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg in 2023) will be important towards the short-term and long-term competitiveness of this Pouākai team.
Slowing down returning Whai guard McKenna Dale (21.7 ppg versus Pouākai) will be paramount to achieving a Pouākai victory. Dale played some of her best basketball against Mainland in 2023, drilling 5.7 triples at a 63.0% clip over her 3 encounters with the Pouākai. 2023 All-Star Five selection Mikayla Cowling was also a formidable opponent, averaging 26.7 ppg against the Pouākai. However, she will be sidelined for tomorrow’s match as she continues to recover from foot surgery.
The Hot Topic: Three-Point Shooting Galore
In 2023, The Whai & Pouākai were #1 and #2 in three-pointers made per game, achieving averages of 10.3 3PM and 8.8 3PM. Returning Kiwis McGoldrick and Dale can be expected to get the ball rolling in this regard for their respective sides, being two of the premier shooting talents in the league. In addition, with the influx of new perimeter-centric imports gracing each side, a three-point barrage could be on the cards.
For the Pouākai, the incoming collective of Cass Brown (2.7 3PM, 38.3%), Haliegh Reinoehl (1.7 3PM, 39.4%), and McKenzie Forbes (2.2 3PM, 32.1%) will bring plenty of long-range firepower.* Those three – alongside McGoldrick (2.5 3PM, 51%) – will give the dynamic Mikhaela Cann plenty of targets to choose between on the perimeter.
A familiar face, Laina Snyder re-joins Tauihi for 2024, switching sides from the Southern Hoiho to the Whai. With the Hoiho, she made 2.3 triples to the tune of 37.0%. Former WNBA player Ashley Joens also brings expertise from beyond the arc, coming off an Italian season where she nailed 36.3% of her three-pointers, notching 2.0 makes per game.
*Previous NBL1 season statistics.
Injury Report (as of 04/10/24)
Whai
OUT – Mikayla Cowling
OUT – Pahlyss Hokianga
QUESTIONABLE – Laina Snyder
QUESTIONABLE – McKenna Dale
Mainland Pouākai
All Available
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!
