Talk about a tale of redemption for the Northern Kahu. In a rematch of the inaugural Tauihi women's basketball final last year, the Kahu gained revenge on the Tokomanawa Queens on Sunday, cruising to a 98-72 win. This title triumph will taste sweet for the Auckland-Northland based Kahu, who couldn't get over the line last season, despite being the form team. They were the team to beat again this season with a loaded roster, after posting a league-best 9-3 record in round play, and never gave the Queens a sniff. It was an emphatic showing from the Khu, who made a flying start in the first quarter and never looked back. American forward IImar'I Thomas continued her brilliant debut season in Tauihi, dropping a game-high 31 points to go with 10 rebounds. Tall Ferns guard Tera Reed was terrific with a 21 point-11 rebound double-double, while Australian captain Tess Madgen (183-F-1990) did it all with 19 points, 10 boards, and five assists. Captain Penina Davidson chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds with Tall Ferns team-mate Krystal Leger-Walker (175-G-1997, college: WSU) busy at both ends with nine points, nine assists, and five rebounds. It was dominant stuff from the Khu, who shot 56% from the field for the game (39/69) and drilled eight of 18 from three point range. They also crushed the Queens in the rebounding battle, 52-26. The Kahu flew out of the blocks, building a 34-19 lead after the first quarter, doing an excellent job of sharing the basketball and finding the open shooter. Reed dropped 14 points in the opening 10 minutes, while also pulling down four rebounds. The Queens' hopes of defending their crown got even tougher prior to tipoff with Tall Fern Stella Beck (183-G-1995, college: SMC) ruled out with illness. Beck contributed a near triple double in their semifinal win over the Southern Hoiho on Saturday with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but became unwell overnight. Her absence was sorely felt with the Queens battling for a secondary scorer outside standout American guard Chrislyn Carr (165-G, college: Louisville). The Kahu had one hand on the title at halftime, holding a comfortable 50-30 lead. Carr was the shining light on offence for the Queens in the first half, scoring 19 of their 30 points, but was kept scoreless after halftime. The Kahu could do little wrong in the first half, shooting 18/36 from the field (50%) and outrebounding the Queens 30-15. They also dished out 12 assists to four in a dominant first half performance. A triple to close out the third quarter from Madgen had the Kahu in cruise control, leading by 25 (74-49) approaching the last 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in the third-fourth playoff, the Mid-North Whai overcame the Hoiho 82-72 behind a game-high 30 points and 13 rebounds from McKenna Dale (183-G-1999, college: Virginia). Captain Mikayla Cowling (188-F-1996, college: California, agency: LBM Management) shone for the Whai too with 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Fellow American Aaliyah Wilson (180-G-1998, college: Texas A&M) had an 11 point-16 rebound double-double with six assists. Ahlise Hurst (175-G-2000, college: Oregon) top-scored for the Hoiho with 22 points with Zoe Richards adding 17.
Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz