Tahlia Tupaea of the Northern Kāhu has been named the Most Valuable Player for the inaugural Tauihi women's national basketball league season.
Northland player Tahlia Tupaea during the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa competition. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Australian guard helped her team to a 10-2 record and the No. 1 spot on the ladder.
The 25-year-old posted averages of 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game with the Kāhu, playing in all 12 games during the regular season.
A dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand, Tupaea was also named to the All-Star Five along with teammate and Tall Ferns legend Micaela Cocks.
Cocks was also in the running for the MVP award, showcasing the talent that the Kāhu had at their disposal throughout the season. The 36-year-old North Shore native averaged 18.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals on 45.3% shooting from the field and 45.1% from three in 12 games.
The Kāhu pair were joined in the All Star Five by Kyra Lambert (Whai), Jaime Nared (Queens) and Laina Snyder (Hoiho).
Defensive Player of the Year went to American Nikki Greene of the Whai. Greene was a force all season long for the Tauranga based team, averaging 11.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Argentinian Florencia Chagas won Youth Player of the Year after a stellar season with the Tokomanawa Queens. She averaged 15.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a league-best 2.9 steals per game. The 21-year-old drove the Queens' offence and as evidenced in her steals numbers, made an impact on the other end of the floor too.
Jody Cameron of the Kāhu claimed Coach of the Year after leading her team to a 10-2 record and the No. 1 seed.
Jody Cameron talks to her team Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Meanwhile Basketball New Zealand has confirmed that the Tauihi Final 4 will proceed in its original format, with the Semi-Finals and Grand Final confirmed for the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson on Fri 26 and Sat 27 August.
With the State of Emergency in Nelson extended until Wednesday 31st August, BBNZ has undertaken financial risk assessments and explored potential alternative options including the viability of moving the event to another location. The League has also consulted with a number of agencies - as well as held discussions with the four Tauihi teams involved - in order to come to this decision.
GM Leagues, Huw Beynon, who lives in Nelson, says that the League is focussed on making a positive impact to a community which has been severely affected by the weather event over the past week.
"The Trafalgar Centre has been unaffected by the recent weather event, and it was important to us that the League doesn't add to any capacity issues the region is facing as a result of the weather event.
6pm, Fri 26 August - Semi-final 1, Kāhu vs Whai
8pm, Fri 26 August - Semi-final 2, Queens vs Pouākai
6pm, Sat 27 August - Final, Semi-final winner 1 vs Semi-final winner 2