The Tokomanawa Queens have fallen just short of a return to the Tauihi Grand Final, losing 82–76 to the Tauranga Whai in a fiercely contested semi-final at Te Rauparaha Arena.
In a rematch of last year’s final, the Queens led for much of the game and were ahead 76–74 inside the final 90 seconds. But a late 8–0 run from the Whai sealed the upset, marking their first win over the Queens in four meetings this season.
Stella Beck, Kristy Wallace, Lou Brown and Brooke Basham led the scoring for the Queens, who were backed by a vocal home crowd throughout.
The result ends the Queens’ 2025 campaign and their bid to return to the Grand Final after finishing as runners-up in 2024. Despite the loss, the Porirua-based side remains a key force in Tauihi women’s basketball.