THE OIL
When the Southern Hoiho digest their semifinal loss, they can look back with pride on a season that showed plenty of promise.
They made a welcome return to the Tauihi playoffs, made a case for themselves to finish top of the table — and took down the top two seeds twice — and several players finished in the top five on the scoresheet.
The Hoiho finished the regular season with a record of 7-5 and fell 99-92 to the Pouākai in the semifinal last weekend. It was a disappointing finish, considering a chance to host the final — let alone make their first final — was within their grasp.
The Hoiho grew as the season went on and showed their real strength across the court, often digging themselves out of holes on the back of determination and grit.
United States point guard Paige Bradley returned for her third stint with the franchise and topped the league in assists (100).
Tall Fern Bec Pizzey made plenty of impact in her first Tauihi season, leading the league in two-point percentage (62.8%) and field goal percentage (56.5%), and Australian point guard Lil Dart led in three-point percentage (49.3%). Taylah Simmons was second in field-goal percentage (49.7%) and Dart third (49.3%).
Claire Jacobs topped the free throw percentages (88.1%)
As a team, the Hoiho had league-best marks in three-point percentage (35%) and assists (21.9%), and were second in two-point percentage (49%) and blocks (4.4%).
It was across the floor when the Hoiho played as a team, finding each other on the pick-and-roll and backing one another up, that they were at their best.
You get the feeling if the bulk could return next season, there is no reason why coach Todd Marshall cannot lead them to their first final.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Thumping the Pouākai 102-66 at home was a sweet victory. Five players finished in double digits, and the Hoiho played some pretty basketball across the floor.
Coming back from being down by 19 points to beat the Tokomanawa Queens 80-73 was nice as well.
WORST PERFORMANCE
That first-up 121-83 loss to the Pouākai was rough. The Hoiho were battling through teething problems and luckily it was only up from there.
MVP
A few contenders for this one but Pizzey’s first year in Tauihi was a beauty. She proved big at both ends of the court and her court craft teamed nicely to plug the gaps for her team-mates. Alongside leading the shooting, Pizzey was third in efficiency (239) and fourth in game score (162.7) and blocks (16).
Edwards was another who was massive for the Hoiho.
RECORD BREAKER
Dart set a Hoiho record of 36 points — including eight triples — this season. It was the highest individual tally for a Tauihi player this season as well.
She was also named in the Rapid League all-star five.
Southern Hoiho
The facts
Played: 13
Won: Seven
Lost: Six
Regular season: Third
Playoffs: Lost 99-92 to Mainland Pouākai in semifinal
League leaders: Paige Bradley (100 assists), Jessie Edwards (19 blocks), Bec Pizzey (62.8% two-point percentage, 56.5% field goal percentage), Lil Dart (49.3% three-point percentage), Claire Jacobs (88.1% free throw percentage)
