In a way, it was a fitting end to the season.
The Southern Hoiho put themselves in a position to finish on a positive note in Tauranga yesterday.
They led at the end of the third quarter but managed just six points in the final period.
That allowed the Mid-North Whai to pull ahead, emerging 63-53 victors to close out the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa regular season.
Laina Snyder delivered a final dominant display for the Hoiho, posting 21 points and 15 rebounds.
Samara Gallaher added 13 points, while Tall Fern Jillian Harmon had moments of quality in her seven points and 10 rebounds.
But there was not enough in the fourth quarter — the inability to score that has dogged this team all year coming to fruition during a seven-minute scoreless run.
The Hoiho held a narrow lead for much of the first three quarters, showing grit on defence and finding ways to generate baskets offensively.
They trailed early, but pulled in front midway through the second quarter as Zoe Richards finished off a fantastic cut, before Gallaher hit a three-pointer to make it 27-22.
That lead grew to seven on a Gallaher free throw shortly after, but the Whai pulled back to 32-29 at halftime.
Snyder began to take over in the third quarter, keeping the Hoiho score ticking over as the Whai remained in touch.
Olivia O’Neill hit a triple to extend the lead back to five, but the Whai finished the quarter stronger, cutting the Hoiho lead to 47-46 at the final break.
Snyder hit another shot to open the fourth quarter, at which point the Hoiho offence went cold.
It struggled to generate quality looks against the Whai zone.
Sharne Robati (14 points) pulled the hosts back to within one, before Kyra Lambert hit two free throws to finally take the lead.
It was a lead the Hoiho never got back.
The margin grew to eight at 57-49, when Esra McGoldrick (13 points) hit for the Whai, with four minutes to play.
Snyder finally responded for the Hoiho, seven minutes after their last basket, but it was too late.
McGoldrick helped close the game out for the hosts, denying the Hoiho a second win for the season.
The Whai head into this week’s semifinals as the fourth seed, set to play the top-placed Northern Kahu.
The Tokomanawa Queens will face the Mainland Pouakai in the other semifinal.
Tauihi basketball
The scores
Whai 63
Sharne Robati 14, Esra McGoldrick 13
Hoiho 53
Laina Snyder 21, Samara Gallaher 13
Quarter scores: 15-13, 29-32, 46-47.
