They may be out of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa playoff picture, but that does not mean they cannot have a say on what those playoffs look like.
The Southern Hoiho are home to the Whai, who are aiming for No 3 seed in the playoffs, for their final game of the season this afternoon.
The Edgar Centre was a happy hunting ground for the Hoiho against the Whai when the Hoiho won 83-76 in October.
There is further incentive, too, with the Hoiho offering free entry to the game, and Hurst would love nothing more than to have a big crowd behind them.
"We know our game plan and we’re also going to be focused on us, and who we have, and just play our best game, and hopefully we finish on a high," Hurst said.
"We have free entry for this home game, so hopefully it’s a big one to go out with a bang."
Hurst has had a big couple of weeks for the Hoiho, finishing as the top scorer with 22 points against the Northern Kahu, and 18 points and five steals against the Mainland Pouakai.
Most of those points have been a change up in her game, being aggressive in the paint and driving to the basket.
"I feel like this season has all been a bit of trial and error with everyone out on the court.
"It’s someone’s game every game.
"The last couple of games we’ve had people in and out. I’ve just been doing what I do and it’s just worked out for me."
The Australian guard is in her second stint with the Hoiho after joining them last season, when they made the Tauihi playoffs.
She joined United States point guard Paige Bradley for a second season in Dunedin — and the two also played together for the Sydney Flames in the WNBL.
Hurst loved her time with the Hoiho — and the warmer weather with the league moving to the summer this year — and the connections she at had the Hoiho were a big reason behind her return.
"These are girls that I’m going to be friends with until the very end.
"It was always good to come back and play with those girls and see them again."
The Whai dealt to the Tokomanawa Queens 97-68 last week with Ashley Joens banking 32 points, nine rebounds, two steals and one block.
She was held to a season-low eight points when the Whai visited Dunedin in October.
Australian Morgan Yaeger and Mikayla Cowling have returned for the visitors since then, and McKenna Dale is always dangerous.
