Friday, 26 September 2025

Pouākai thrash Hoiho in season opener

    By Kayla Hodge
    1. Sport
    2. Basketball

    Marena Whittle announced herself to the crowd.

    The Mainland Pouākai forward drained three after three and turned to her home crowd hyped up as she led to the Pouākai to a 121-83 win against the Southern Hoiho tonight.

    The Australian was sublime. She finished with 30 points, including eight from nine from deep, and five rebounds and assists.

    Mckenna Dale picked up a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Taylor Mikesell had 20 points.

    Claire Jacobs was on fire from deep for the Hoiho. She finished with 27 points.

    Lil Dart was strong off the bench as well with 18 points, five assists and four steals.

    The Pouākai nailed 41 points from turnovers and 29 second-chance points to make the big dent.

    The Hoiho led for most of the opening quarter thanks to the hot-hand of Jacobs.

    Dart added energy off the bench. She picked the pocket and finished off with a nice lay-up for the Hoiho to lead 25-18.

    Yaeger picked up a late turnover and found Whittle, who nailed a triple for the Pouākai to lead 29-27 at the break.

    Rapid ball speed from the Pouākai helped the home side jump out to an eight-point lead.

    Mikesell sat in the corner and nailed a triple, while Yaeger facilitated their offence.

    Dale stole the ball, finished by Whittle, as the Pouākai extended the lead to double-digits.

    The Hoiho struggled to shut down the quick pace of the Pouakai and punch through the defence to find their lane to the hoop.

    The Pouākai looked to run away, but the Hoiho fought and came back late in the quarter.

    Dart nailed a much-needed three and Bradley set up Bec Pizzey in the paint to claw back.

    Jacobs added two from the stripe — and another from beyond the arc — to bring it back to five.

    The Pouākai led 54-49 at halftime.

    The Hoiho came out fast to open the second half. Taylah Simmons hustled hard, blocked the shot and Jacobs finished at the other end to close within two.

    Charlotte Whittaker, who had four steals, and Jessie Edwards had a good battle in the paint, with the two going toe-to-toe.

    But the Pouākai finished quick points to punish again and break away to a 12-point lead.

    Bradley found herself in foul trouble and sat on the pine as the Pouākai extended 75-58.

    They opened up to lead 84-64 at the end of the third and pulled on in a big final quarter.

    The Hoiho won 39-36 in the Rapid League game.