The Northern Kahu’s first win of the season could not have come at a better time.
The Auckland team dispatched the Whai — who were top of the Tauihi Basketball table — 81-66 on Saturday.
That left the top spot wide open for the Tokomanawa Queens and the Southern Hoiho, who beat the Mainland Pouakai 99-94 on Thursday, to swoop in.
The Queens then beat the Whai, who had a doubleheader, 88-82 in Wellington yesterday afternoon, which sent the defending champions further down the table.
The victory shuffled the Queens to the top of the table, closely followed by the Hoiho.
Both teams have the same record of seven wins and four losses this season, but goal percentage gives the Queens a slight edge.
The Pouakai sit third with six wins and five losses, and back-to-back losses put the Whai fourth, also with six wins and five losses.
The top four are already locked in — the Kahu are out with only one win from nine games — but where they will finish will come down to the wire.
The Pouakai host the Kahu on Friday, while the Hoiho arguably have the toughest game of the final round on the road to the Whai on Saturday.
The Kahu are home to the Queens to round out the regular season on Sunday.
