The Whai guard nailed a buzzer-beater to steal a 83-81 victory and stay top of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa table at the Edgar Centre last night.
It was a deflating end to a thrilling game and is a testament to the Hoiho staying in the fight.
The home side trailed by as many as 16 points throughout the game but hustled hard to get back.
They got themselves in front several times in the final quarter — bringing the home crowd to life.
None more so than when Lil Dart nailed a deep three to level the game 81-81 with 13sec on the clock.
She injected 18 points off the bench and Jessie Edwards finished with a double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.
They left everything on the floor and can take plenty of heart in the fight they showed.
Claire Jacobs found Edwards in the paint early. The centre took the contact and banked the first points.
She then found Zoe Richards — who got the start with Bec Pizzey sidelined — on the pick and roll, who finished off the glass.
Jessica McDowell-White orchestrated the Whai offence and found easy access to the paint.
They looked to be on the road for more points on a fast break but Edwards came up with a clutch block.
Laina Snyder started to find her radar for the Whai and helped her side lead 24-19 at the break.
Samara Gallaher hustled hard and came up strong, picking off the ball from the Whai throw in and finishing it off. The fan-favourite local got a rousing cheer from the crowd for her efforts.
The Whai were a cohesive unit, swinging the ball around and always looking in control of where they were heading.
Shearer banked a corner three to push back to a 36-28 lead for the Whai.
They slipped passed the Hoiho defensive and always had an option free — and extended 42-29.
Gallaher’s hustle started to influence her side. The Hoiho took the hits and found the basket to close 44-39.
The Whai led 47-39 at halftime.
McDowell-White helped the Whai extend 53-39 lead.
The visitors started to show what a well-rounded team they are at both ends of the court.
Cowling snaffled the rebound and drained another beyond the arc to extend the Whai 59-43.
They spread their points across the floor with four players creeping into double figures.
After a slow start from the Hoiho, Paige Bradley started to direct traffic and take control.
Richards — who was strong all night for the home side — finished a reverse lay-up and Bradley banked more.
They worked tirelessly defensively, putting the Whai under pressure to turn over ball.
The visitors started to get frustrated as the Hoiho began to click and brought it back to a 10-point game.
Dart found Jacobs in the paint on the move and the Hoiho trailed 59-51.
Jacobs robbed McDowell-White and Bradley rewarded with a triple. Dart added two from the stripe for the Hoiho to trail by four.
But the Whai held strong and led 68-63 at the break.
The Hoiho owned the final quarter, taking the lead several times and shutting the Whai out until the buzzer shot.
They now meet the Northern Kahu in Auckland tomorrow.
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa
The scores
Whai 83
Emme Shearer 26, Jessica McDowell-White 16
Southern Hoiho 81
Lil Dart 18, Jessie Edwards 17
Quarter scores: Whai 24-19, 47-39, 68-63.
