Ashlee Strawbridge: Mainland Pouākai forward ahead of the semifinal clash against the Tokomanawa Queens

The Mainland Pouākai are taking on the Tokomanawa Queens this weekend, angling for a coveted spot in the Tauihi National Basketball league playoffs. 

Pouākai forward Ashlee Strawbridge joined Lesley Murdoch for a chat about her team's season to date, and preview this weekend’s clash. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, exciting times in our New Zealand basketball women's basketball
to EH competition and our Poekai, our Mainland Poeki into
the semifinals and they are playing the Queens. This is
Saturday night, and to talk through a little bit about
that experience, let's welcome to our program, Ashburton's Best, Ashley Strawbridge.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good morning, Good morning, Leuslie, thank you, thanks.

Speaker 1 (00:25):
Well, how have you enjoyed the season twenty twenty four?
Given we need to tell if people didn't know that
your collegiate career was at New Mexico State and that
you have been over in Australia in the NBL one
Central Conference for West Adelaide Bearcats. But how has this
twenty twenty four for Poecai turned out for you?

Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah, the season's been really good. It's been a short
short one three months going on and then a one
month pre season, so it's been really good. Obviously we've
made the semi finals, so that's really exciting and just
happy to be a part of this team and something great.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
The structure around the rapid League and then the to
EH competition itself, how has that worked Because you've played
a bit of rapid league as well, yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
Well we've played we play a sixteen minute game of
Rapid League before the main game that's now over since
I've made semis, and that accounts to a third of
our points into the main scoring system. So yeah, the
girls that don't really touch the court much in the
main game, they played Rapid So that gave the lights
of myself a bit of a chance to showcase our

(01:34):
talents and what we've got leading into the big game.

Speaker 1 (01:37):
So you would think, you know, you're a tall fun
as well, and you would think that you in terms
of your recognition as a top talent. Would you've expected
maybe then to get more game time for Powekai.

Speaker 2 (01:49):
No, not necessarily super grateful for that taur Fun opportunity,
but this league that allowed five inputs into the league
this year, which has been amazing, and so it kind
of of that other talent that's coming from international borders
a chance to showcase what they've got. It's really amped
up the league. As much as I would have loved
to play them more, it's really cool watching them play

(02:11):
and looking up to them and what they It's been
really really entertaining to watch as well. Well.

Speaker 1 (02:15):
There have been the big learning points for you, Well,
probably just resilience.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
It's probably been really tough not touching the court, but
understanding that there is new talent in New Zealand at
the moment, So yeah, just learning from those older girls
that have got a bit more wisdom, have paid a
couple more years prior under their belt. Yeah, it's a
really talented league at the moment, so it is hard
to earn those minutes that we have to try and get.

(02:42):
But yeah, it's been good.

Speaker 1 (02:43):
Because in the end, it is a really positive thing
that the mainland power Kai have made the semi finals,
you know, the top four given on the back of
what the Kenderby Rems have achieved as well. I mean,
we all know basketball is in a great space and
it's the fastest growing sport in this country.

Speaker 2 (02:59):
One and it's amazing. It's amazing that we were able
to follow on from what the Rams had done here
and hopefully achieve exactly what they did this previous season.

Speaker 1 (03:09):
So how hard is it going to be? You fronted
up to the tokyomanawat Queens last weekend and beacon what
eighty seven seventy and now you're going to play them
in a semi final. How do you get your hit
around that?

Speaker 2 (03:21):
Yeah, so we just continue to work and go back
into the film room and then see minor adjustments that
we can make for the game. Obviously we've beaten them
three times, but going in for a fourth is just
as hard. So we're just going in making those minor
adjustments and seeing where we can work on our game
and hopefully come out and get another one.

Speaker 1 (03:41):
And I guess you just have to wait and see
as to how much game time you'll get.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, as the game if you get the
call up.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
As far as when this finishes, whether it finishes on
Saturday night for the Poe Kai or they hopefully go
on to the big Final. What are you, Ashley Strawbridge,
going to do at the complete of this woman's NBL here.

Speaker 2 (04:04):
Well, hopefully take you a couple of weeks off to
till and then I head back over to Adelaide and
play in the NBL one League over there with Satelaide
Beer Cats.

Speaker 1 (04:13):
I mean, you're living the dream, You're playing the sport
that you love.

Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah. No, it's amazing. I'm very very fortunate to call
this a drop.

Speaker 1 (04:20):
In terms of playing the rapid league, getting some snippets
of court time for Poekit. Which part of your game
has grown the most? Do you think?

Speaker 2 (04:29):
Oh? Wow, I would probably say my defensive game. Just
stepping up and playing better talent and challenging myself to
be a better defensive player and try and stop this girls.
I think it's a bit of a task, like you
just got to get it done, and so it's something
that I really pride myself on.

Speaker 1 (04:46):
I guess all good stuff. And why do you think
the Poekaite have been so successful up to date?

Speaker 2 (04:53):
I think our biggest thing is we've really stuck together
as a team. I know, in team, especially women's sport,
can get clickie and people can turn on each other,
but we're all so together and on the same page
and it's so important. So yeah, that's probably our biggest thing,
is that we're so together and just honestly love each other.
So that's cool.

Speaker 1 (05:11):
Oh that is cool, and I totally get you on
the other part. Absolutely, all we can do is wish
the power Kai all the very best for the semi final.
You have been getting stronger, it looks to me anyway,
getting stronger and stronger as the league for greases and
let's hope that Saturday Night is the strongest ever.

Speaker 2 (05:28):
Performance one we got to bring our best.

Speaker 1 (05:31):
Thank you so much as we go really well, stay
injury free. Awesome, Thank you less please for more from
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