Lil Dart has been immense off the bench for the Southern Hoiho this season and her game soared to record-breaking new heights at home last week.
The point guard piled on 36 points — including eight triples — to seal a 99-94 win against the Mainland Pouakai at the Edgar Centre.
It was the highest individual tally for a player in the Tauihi League this season and the highest all-time score for a Hoiho player, surpassing Laina Snyder — now playing for the Whai — who drained 32 points in 2022.
Dart was just three points shy of equalling the league record as well, held by former Pouakai import McKenzie Forbes, who scored 39 points, including nine threes, last season.
"I was stoked with it," Dart said about her performance.
"It was a great game. It was a good, tough win."
Dart has been a live wire off the pine in her first season in New Zealand and has banked 160 points already.
She leads the league for three-point percentage (50%), second for three-pointers made (27) and sits second to Hoiho team-mate Bec Pizzey (57.1%) for field goal percentage (50.5%).
The 21-year-old has been loving her first season across the Ditch.
"It’s been really good. I’ve been living up at the farm stay with Pizzey and Paige [Bradley], which has been super fun.
"Just getting shown around Dunedin by all the local girls has been really nice and having a good time playing with all the girls and learning lots."
Dart grew up in Brisbane playing basketball and played a couple of NBL1 North seasons before heading down to Melbourne this year and playing for Eltham in the NBL1.
She was in good company in Melbourne, playing alongside Pizzey, and that connection has continued at the Hoiho.
Dart has also been playing in the Rapid League — a shortened version unique to New Zealand — where she sits second for assists (21) and fourth for points (78), three-pointers made (nine) and steals (11).
"It’s an interesting concept, very fast-paced game.
"It’s good for the development and it’s almost like a good warm-up for the proper game as well."
The Hoiho have already locked in a playoff spot with a 7-4 record heading into the final round.
"It definitely makes it a bit more comfortable.
"But I think, still, we’ve just got to keep running through the plays, getting our offences going, playing good defence just so that we’re rolling into finals feeling confident."
The Hoiho sit second on the table ahead of the third-placed Pouakai, who last night beat the Northern Kahu
102-62 in Tauranga.
It is a congested fight for playoff placings and the Hoiho could finish anywhere from first to fourth at the end of tomorrow.
They play the Whai, who are currently fourth, in Tauranga this afternoon.
If the Hoiho beat the Whai, they will secure a top two finish and if the Tokomanawa Queens lose to the Kahu tomorrow, first seed is in their grasp.
If they lose to the Whai, it will come down to points percentage and the Hoiho could finish as low as fourth.
