Jericho Rock Archer
Tokomanawa Queens player Florencia Chagas scored 19 points in Saturday night’s 78-59 win over mainland Pouākai in Christchurch.
The Tokomanawa Queens showed a glimpse of their class when they defeated the mainland Pouākai 78-59 on Saturday night in their Tauihi women’s basketball game at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch.
With little difference between the teams after 10 minutes of play, it was the Queens who quickly found their range in the second period with a 24-10 run to break the game open.
Jaime Nared proved dangerous all over the floor for the Queens and especially from outside the arch where they dropped some big baskets, while Elin Gustavsson and Florencia Chagas also showed their class.
With captain Stella Beck filling the stats, the Queens visibly built some much needed confidence and started showing a level of play they hope will take them all the way to the top four from here.
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The Queens also exerted defensive pressure on Pouākai’s star player Trinity Baptiste in an effort to reduce their scoring opportunities.
Try as they might, the Pouākai just couldn’t get going and could get out of the game with some concern over the form of Tessa Boagni, Mary Goulding and Lauryn Hippolite, all of whom were kept quiet in this one.
By a whopping 23 points margin, the Queens won the final quarter 17-15 to celebrate their fourth win of the season, their first win over the Pouākai.
Nared’s form will have pleased coach Tania Tupu, while Gustavsson’s double-double after a meager run will also have pleased the double Olympian who returned to the coach’s seat after a Covid attack.
Erin Whalen did everything she could for the Pouakai, but this one was for the Queens from start to finish.
The next step for the Pouākai is a trip to Queenstown on Monday night to play the Southern Hoiho, while the Queens will enjoy a mini-break before a Wednesday night clash in Porirua against the Hoiho.
On Sunday afternoon, the Mid-North Whai would meet the Northern Kahu at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Center in Tauranga.
AT A GLANCE
Results round five:
At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch: Tokomanawa Queens 78 (Jaime Nared 23, Florence Chagas 19) Mainland Box 59 (Erin Whalen 19, Trinity Baptiste 15). 1Q: 16-18 2Q: 40-28 3Q: 61-44.