This time last year they were bowing out of the Tauihi League, missing the playoffs after only producing one win in the league’s inaugural season.
Today they begin their bid for a spot in the final, coming up against the Tokomanawa Queens in the 2v3 semifinal in Porirua at 6pm.
If they win, they are through to the final tomorrow, against either the Northern Kahu or Whai, who are playing in the other semifinal at 4pm.
Lose and they play off for third spot.
Head coach Todd Marshall said the group were "buzzing" ahead of today’s clash.
The Hoiho have a good track record against the defending champions this season.
They have won all three encounters, 82-75 (July 12), 77-60 (August 1) and 82-71 (August 16), which should give them confidence heading into tonight.
But anything can happen come playoff time, and the Hoiho will need to dig deep to get the job done.
They need to shut down Chrislyn Carr and Stephanie Watts’ typical dominance over a game early.
"We’ve just got some real crucial defensive assignments ... that we have to bring to the table, because they’ve got some gifted players and individually they have the skills to hurt you on their own," Marshall said.
"Really got to make sure we do our job there and then don’t let some of their other role players or other players step in and take the ball.
"It’s going to be an all round stick to our tasks, good D and then look after the ball and go from there."
The Hoiho are without the league’s MVP, Ashten Prechtel, but the Queens are without Maya Dobson, which has changed their style from the regular season games.
Centre Jen O’Connell — who was named in the Rapid League all-star five — will be called upon for the Hoiho.
She was important last week, picking up eight rebounds in the Tauihi game against the Whai, and produced a massive eight points and 18 rebounds in the Rapid game.
The Hoiho cleaned up in the league awards, picking up six honours, including Marshall being named coach of the year.
"It is really cool and as a group everyone’s really put in some work and committed to the whole season.
"It’s really nice to see some of those accolades come through."
That team unity has come to the fore again this week. Players who were not selected for the playoff side have also opted to travel with the team to support them in Porirua this weekend.
"That just sort of sums up the way the squad [is] — a close squad. It’s really cool."
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
Playoffs need-to-know
- The Northern Kahu (9-3) have led the competition most of the season and are the top seed for the playoffs. The Tokomanawa Queens (6-6) have taken second spot, thanks to their Rapid League points, and the Southern Hoiho (7-5) finished third. Whai (6-6) snuck in at fourth.
- The playoff format, with all games played in Porirua, starts with the Kahu v Whai at 4pm, followed by the Hoiho v Queens at 6pm tonight.
The winner of both playoffs will play in the final at 6pm tomorrow. The losers will playoff for third place earlier at 3.30pm.
