The Hoiho have set the early benchmark with back-to-back wins in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa.
That is twice as many wins as the team managed in the league last season and they are keen to stretch their winning start to a third game.
The players have had almost two weeks to prepare for the game. But the season is about to get a lot more hectic, coach Todd Marshall said.
"We’ve sort of had a 12-day break and managed to get a few good trainings in since the last game," he said.
"We’re uncomplaining about where we are at at the moment, so it has been a good 12 days."
"But it gets a bit scary from here on. Training is going to be a luxury."
The Hoiho host the Northern Kāhu on Sunday and the Tokomanawa Queens on Tuesday, before travelling north to Tauranga to play the Whai.
It is a busy period which really does not let up.
That means the last 12 days took on extra significance. It was a rare opportunity to really work on polishing the game plan.
"We just want to stay doing what we do well," Marshall said.
So far that is just about everything. They beat the defending champions the Tokomanawa Queens 82-75 in Porirua and held on to defeat the Northern Kahu 82-76 in Dunedin.
Marshall felt his side lost some control of that game in the final quarter.
"A big key for us is the defence down the other end of the floor and defensive rebounding. Rebounding is one of our top priorities. It is an area we want to pride ourselves on."
Hoiho star import Ashten Prechtel has done a tremendous job at that. The 1.96m tall American centre has grabbed 33 rebounds in two games.
There has been some good hustle as well. Zoe Richards has nabbed six steals, while Paige Bradley has helped unleash the Hoiho’s offence with 19 assists.
The Pouakai, however, have started with back-to-back losses. They were edged 79-73 by the Whai and lost 78-64 to the Northern Kahu.
They have been limping along with one import — Kennedy Leonard.
But the other two — Natasha Mack and Jasmine Dickey — are expected to suit up tonight.
They will bolster the line-up significantly.
The other major threat in the Pouākai line-up is Tall Fern Esra McGoldrick.
She is leading her side for rebounds, blocks and points. Her battle with Prechtel shapes as an interesting match-up.
"Yeah. But obviously they’ve only had one import for the first two games and I’m pretty sure they will have all three here for this," Marshall said.
"So it is a bit of a hard read, because the team could be markedly different from what we’ve seen so far.
"But Esra is playing particularly well this season. She is long, she shoots and she can attack the rim as well. There is a reason she has been averaging 17 a game."
Tauihi Basketball
Christchurch, 7.30pm
Southern Hoiho: Ahlise Hurst, Ashten Prechtel, Brittany Richards, Caitlin O’Connell, Gracie Roberts-Hare, Jen O’Connell, Millicent Simpson, Paige Bradley, Samara Gallaher, Sophie Adams, Tyler Mitchell, Zoe Richards.
Mainland Pouākai: Ashlyn Rean, Emily Knight, Esra McGoldrick, Ivy Brown, Karereatua Williams, Kate Herman, Kennedy Leonard, Lauryn Hippolite, Madeleine Timms, Madeline-Rose Morrow, Olivia O’Neill, Sharne Robati, Natasha Mack, Jasmine Dickey.
