Alex Stojkovic coached the Whai to their inaugural Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa title last year.
Now he is plotting to make sure they do not go back to back.
Stojkovic moved to the Mainland Pouakai this season — and bought several players with him from the Whai — and they will host the Whai in the final tomorrow afternoon.
It is a big occasion for the Pouakai, who finished second seeds and host the final after the fourth-placed Whai took down the top seeds the Tokomanawa Queens in the semifinal.
It is the Pouakai’s first final appearance, the first Tauihi final held in Christchurch and the last game to be played at Cowles Stadium.
"There is meaning in that," Stojkovic acknowledged.
"But we still talk about staying present, keeping things simple, and trusting the habits we have built over the last three months."
Whai coach Tane Bennett, who was Stojkovic’s assistant last year, has had the Whai humming this season.
They were top seeds for much of the season, only slipping back to fourth in the final rounds.
They showed what they are made of when they beat the Queens down the stretch last weekend.
"Last game showed how connected our team is," Bennett said.
"Losing to a very tough Queens team all three times during the regular season, being down 17 early in the second quarter and staying composed to give ourselves a chance later in the game.
"The culture we have built, the maturity of our leadership and the collective character of this team was on full display."
The Whai have the slight wool on the Pouakai this season. They won 85-77 on October 10, 102-93 on October 18, but lost 68-63 on November 16.
Hannah Hank and Laina Snyder — who made a return from injury last week — were named in the all-star five.
Hank leads the league for points (244), efficiency (298) and game score (209.3) and has been hard to stop in the paint.
Point guard Jessica McDowell-White has strung together their offence and Emme Rogers has been clutch in big moments.
But the Pouakai have their own weapons, including Marena Whittle who was also named in the all-star five.
Taylor Mikesell leads for three-pointers made (4) and young Emma Rogers has been strong this season, scooping the most improved and youth player of the year accolades.
McKenna Dale has also been huge and Morgan Yaeger — MVP of the final last year for the Whai — is hard to stop.
They have also weathered the storm well without centre Abigail Fogg and Esra McGoldrick, who have been sidelined with injury for the latter part of the season.
