The Wellington-based Tokomanawa Queens have opened basketball's new Tauihi National League with a 73-68 win over the Hoiho in Porirua.
Among a star-filled Queens team this season is Australian forward Lou Brown, who brings two WNBL titles and an impressive American basketball resume to the team.
Brown opened with 25 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
She caught up with Adam Cooper about the opening victory and the season ahead.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
News Talks it'd be on the All Sport breakfasts well.
As mentioned the Toeye Basketball League underway for the new
season and a great first up win for our Wellington
based team, the Tokamana were Queens seventy three sixty eight
in Pottydoer last night's over the Southern hoy Ho team.
Great to be able to chat to well. One of
the star performers from last night for the Queens, who's
(00:20):
over for the season from Australia, forward Lou Brown is
with us. Lou, very good morning to you, thanks for
your time here on news Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Heb good morning, Adam, Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Good to have you, Lou, and well, congratulations on the
individual stats last night twenty five points, sixteen rebounds, but
also the win overall. Happy to get the season underway
on a positive note.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Thank you. Yeah, definitely, it was a it was a
grind last night, really came to play. We were down
a couple of players, but it was it was just
awesome to see everyone step up last night, come together
and ultimately pull out the win at our first home game.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah. Wonderful and I mean tell us what it's like
getting the squad to get because there's the likes of
yourself with some real overseas experience, there's up and coming
New Zealand players. What sort of like sort of making
sure you can gel from from the start of the
season when you've all come from sort of different systems
and in different programs.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Absolutely, No, We've had a I would say maybe a
unique two weeks into the season, which is I think
propelled us quickly or more rapidly than a usual first
two weeks with a new team. We flew to China.
I think I was. I was in New Zealand for
two days, A couple of girls have been. We had
maybe two or three practices under our belts, and we
(01:34):
all flew to China and we played three games over
there against a Korean, Chinese some teams over there, and yeah,
we just bonded so quickly.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
We came together.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
We were we were just thrown into the deep end
and we were all able to swim. So yeah, I
think that that helped. And then obviously we're all we're
all kind of professionals, so we know come together it
means business, and I think it was able to we
were able to show that last night and.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
You've had success with a couple of teams over in
the Women's National Basketball League in Australia. So why New Zealand,
why do you come over for this league? Like, what
do you want to get out of it?
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
I think for me coming over here, it's it's an
up and coming league. It's exciting. They've got some great
players coming over here. It's it's not a Cup Kate league.
So I think the opportunity presented itself, and I just
love the idea of coming over to a beautiful country
and being able to use basketball to do that. I'm
(02:33):
grateful and blessed and it's just I couldn't really turn
that down.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, great to hear. Yeah, we'll talk to us a
bit more about the game last night. A tight score line.
I know you and the Queens had had a good
first quarter. They the Southern team, hoy hoo. Did manage
to stay in the game and sort of just keep
your tested right the way through. By the looks of
the way things flowed. So how proud are you that
you managed to sort of just continue to hold them off.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Yeah, I'm so proud to be able to show that
resilience in our first game basketball, game of runs, and yeah,
to be able to face their runs and be able
to back it up and respond to our slumps as
well was just it was a huge testament to all
of us and just yeah, our toughness and resilience as
a group. To show that early on, it was just
(03:16):
a great little brick to lay in our foundation for
the beginning of the season.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
What do you feel the strengths of the Queens will
be through this season?
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I think you know, one thing about last night as
well is.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Not only were were we down flow and we've got
Jordan Horston coming in, but just our depths coming off
the bench.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
It was just huge to have everyone step up and
be a part of the win last night.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I think that's just going to hold us down in
a short season where we're playing back to back games
and stuff.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
So definitely our.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Depths and then just being able to get up and
down the floor. We've got a lot of players that
we can stretch the floor, but we can also go
rim to rim with Tamarik who stands at six to six.
So I think strength lies all, you know, between all
everyone on the court and on the bench.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Yeah, wonderful you went over from Australia to do the
American system Washington State, I believe very successful there then
and move over to Tennessee as well. I'm sure there
are a lot of young female basketballers in New Zealand
given the sports growth, that are considering the US system,
as you know, an option to pursue their dreams. I mean,
how did you find it and would you recommend it
to young young basketballers from this part of the world.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Absolutely, I've throughout my career, I've really and then more
so in the later years as well, I've really appreciated
the fact that I've able to be I've been able
to use basketball as a vessel for so much opportunity,
and it was able to take me over to the US.
I was able to experience such an intense game of
basketball that I hadn't had played before. But also just
(04:50):
the love and support that these programs have over in
the US is unmatched. It was just incredible. I Mean,
the University in Tennessee was in and I just think
that's they're a pillar for women's for women's basketball over
there as well.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
But no, I would.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Definitely recommend it. I mean, it's not for everyone, and
I think that's also okay, but to be able to
use basketball, I was able to get my masters, uh
and live over in a different country for however many years.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
It was just incredible.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
So I would definitely from from my experience, I would
definitely recommend it wonderful.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
And I see you've got a couple of familiar faces
for you from your time in the US here in Wellington.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Now, definitely Tamara Key and Jordan Houston.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
And that was also one of the one of the
most exciting parts of being part of becoming a Takeamona
a Queen was that I was able to reunite with
these two girls who I played over at the University
of Tennessee with obviously Jordan Houston's coming off of a
really awesome season with the Seattle Storm in the w NBA.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Who who just got knocked out in the w NBA Finals.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
But yeah, it's just it's just really special that we
were able to kind of get back together and reunite
and have this season together in another country again.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, exactly. And you enjoined Wellington so far.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
I'm absolutely loving it. Not only you know, Wellington's gorgeous,
but just the people, the club, all my teammates, like
it's just been such an easy transition and I'm just
so so grateful to be here.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Wonderful lot Well, it's great to have you here as well.
And I know we're all eyes now on the next
home game and potty do us nixt Sunday a three
o'clock yep, three o'clock tip off against the Northern Caho.
So tell us just what it will mean to to
get as many Wellingtonians long to support you.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh, if it's anything like last night.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
We always talk about the people that come to the
game like there are six men, there are six men
on the floor.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
They help us get over the line.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
They help us ride through some of the slumps in
the games and ride the highs as well. So everyone
get down next next Sunday at two pm. The Queens
would love to have you there.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Wonderful, great to chat. Great to have you and Wellington
and as part of the Queens as well. I'm look
forward to to sort of keeping it eyeing things right
through the season. Appreciate your time here on News TALKSZB
this morning.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Amazing. Thank you so much for having me, Adam.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Cheers Luke Brown there forward for the Tokomana were queens
here on News Talks EDB. For more from News Talks EDB,
listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
News Talks it'd be on the All Sport breakfasts well.
As mentioned the Toeye Basketball League underway for the new
season and a great first up win for our Wellington
based team, the Tokamana were Queens seventy three sixty eight
in Pottydoer last night's over the Southern hoy Ho team.
Great to be able to chat to well. One of
the star performers from last night for the Queens, who's
(00:20):
over for the season from Australia, forward Lou Brown is
with us. Lou, very good morning to you, thanks for
your time here on news Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Heb good morning, Adam, Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Good to have you, Lou, and well, congratulations on the
individual stats last night twenty five points, sixteen rebounds, but
also the win overall. Happy to get the season underway
on a positive note.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Thank you. Yeah, definitely, it was a it was a
grind last night, really came to play. We were down
a couple of players, but it was it was just
awesome to see everyone step up last night, come together
and ultimately pull out the win at our first home game.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah. Wonderful and I mean tell us what it's like
getting the squad to get because there's the likes of
yourself with some real overseas experience, there's up and coming
New Zealand players. What sort of like sort of making
sure you can gel from from the start of the
season when you've all come from sort of different systems
and in different programs.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Absolutely, No, We've had a I would say maybe a
unique two weeks into the season, which is I think
propelled us quickly or more rapidly than a usual first
two weeks with a new team. We flew to China.
I think I was. I was in New Zealand for
two days, A couple of girls have been. We had
maybe two or three practices under our belts, and we
(01:34):
all flew to China and we played three games over
there against a Korean, Chinese some teams over there, and yeah,
we just bonded so quickly.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
We came together.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
We were we were just thrown into the deep end
and we were all able to swim. So yeah, I
think that that helped. And then obviously we're all we're
all kind of professionals, so we know come together it
means business, and I think it was able to we
were able to show that last night and.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
You've had success with a couple of teams over in
the Women's National Basketball League in Australia. So why New Zealand,
why do you come over for this league? Like, what
do you want to get out of it?
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
I think for me coming over here, it's it's an
up and coming league. It's exciting. They've got some great
players coming over here. It's it's not a Cup Kate league.
So I think the opportunity presented itself, and I just
love the idea of coming over to a beautiful country
and being able to use basketball to do that. I'm
(02:33):
grateful and blessed and it's just I couldn't really turn
that down.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, great to hear. Yeah, we'll talk to us a
bit more about the game last night. A tight score line.
I know you and the Queens had had a good
first quarter. They the Southern team, hoy hoo. Did manage
to stay in the game and sort of just keep
your tested right the way through. By the looks of
the way things flowed. So how proud are you that
you managed to sort of just continue to hold them off.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Yeah, I'm so proud to be able to show that
resilience in our first game basketball, game of runs, and yeah,
to be able to face their runs and be able
to back it up and respond to our slumps as
well was just it was a huge testament to all
of us and just yeah, our toughness and resilience as
a group. To show that early on, it was just
(03:16):
a great little brick to lay in our foundation for
the beginning of the season.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
What do you feel the strengths of the Queens will
be through this season?
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I think you know, one thing about last night as
well is.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Not only were were we down flow and we've got
Jordan Horston coming in, but just our depths coming off
the bench.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
It was just huge to have everyone step up and
be a part of the win last night.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I think that's just going to hold us down in
a short season where we're playing back to back games
and stuff.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
So definitely our.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Depths and then just being able to get up and
down the floor. We've got a lot of players that
we can stretch the floor, but we can also go
rim to rim with Tamarik who stands at six to six.
So I think strength lies all, you know, between all
everyone on the court and on the bench.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Yeah, wonderful you went over from Australia to do the
American system Washington State, I believe very successful there then
and move over to Tennessee as well. I'm sure there
are a lot of young female basketballers in New Zealand
given the sports growth, that are considering the US system,
as you know, an option to pursue their dreams. I mean,
how did you find it and would you recommend it
to young young basketballers from this part of the world.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Absolutely, I've throughout my career, I've really and then more
so in the later years as well, I've really appreciated
the fact that I've able to be I've been able
to use basketball as a vessel for so much opportunity,
and it was able to take me over to the US.
I was able to experience such an intense game of
basketball that I hadn't had played before. But also just
(04:50):
the love and support that these programs have over in
the US is unmatched. It was just incredible. I Mean,
the University in Tennessee was in and I just think
that's they're a pillar for women's for women's basketball over
there as well.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
But no, I would.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Definitely recommend it. I mean, it's not for everyone, and
I think that's also okay, but to be able to
use basketball, I was able to get my masters, uh
and live over in a different country for however many years.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
It was just incredible.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
So I would definitely from from my experience, I would
definitely recommend it wonderful.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
And I see you've got a couple of familiar faces
for you from your time in the US here in Wellington.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Now, definitely Tamara Key and Jordan Houston.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
And that was also one of the one of the
most exciting parts of being part of becoming a Takeamona
a Queen was that I was able to reunite with
these two girls who I played over at the University
of Tennessee with obviously Jordan Houston's coming off of a
really awesome season with the Seattle Storm in the w NBA.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Who who just got knocked out in the w NBA Finals.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
But yeah, it's just it's just really special that we
were able to kind of get back together and reunite
and have this season together in another country again.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, exactly. And you enjoined Wellington so far.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
I'm absolutely loving it. Not only you know, Wellington's gorgeous,
but just the people, the club, all my teammates, like
it's just been such an easy transition and I'm just
so so grateful to be here.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Wonderful lot Well, it's great to have you here as well.
And I know we're all eyes now on the next
home game and potty do us nixt Sunday a three
o'clock yep, three o'clock tip off against the Northern Caho.
So tell us just what it will mean to to
get as many Wellingtonians long to support you.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh, if it's anything like last night.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
We always talk about the people that come to the
game like there are six men, there are six men
on the floor.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
They help us get over the line.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
They help us ride through some of the slumps in
the games and ride the highs as well. So everyone
get down next next Sunday at two pm. The Queens
would love to have you there.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Wonderful, great to chat. Great to have you and Wellington
and as part of the Queens as well. I'm look
forward to to sort of keeping it eyeing things right
through the season. Appreciate your time here on News TALKSZB
this morning.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Amazing. Thank you so much for having me, Adam.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Cheers Luke Brown there forward for the Tokomana were queens
here on News Talks EDB. For more from News Talks EDB,
listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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