IN their first game of the season, the Northern Mystics showed plenty of promise for the year ahead notching up a well-deserved win over grand finalists Northern Stars, 59-55. After an up and down 2019 season, the Mystics seemed to iron out their on-court issues and string together a strong performance despite being challenged throughout the game.

The Mystics got off to a flyer piling on a whopping 20 goals in the opening 15 minutes of the game mainly thanks to teenage sensation Grace Nweke. The talented goal shooter did all of the damage under the post proving too strong for Oceane Maihi who simply could not combat her aerial strength and most importantly accuracy to post. Nweke managed an impressive 19 goals from 20 attempts in the first quarter alone showcasing just how explosive she can be when given the time and space to do so. On the other hand, the Stars only managed to record 16 goals putting them on the back foot from the very beginning. Still working on their combination both Maia Wilson and Jamie Hume took some time to sight each other in the circle but for Wilson it was business as usual with the towering youngster doing the bulk of the shooting with 11 goals from 13 attempts.

As the game went on things evened out across the court with both sides tightening up defensively and through the midcourt to make the most of their chances. New recruit Daystar Swift made her way onto the court for the first time with the Trinidadian defender easing into the game and using her height to disrupt the play. She ended with two pickups for the quarter highlighting her hunt for the ball while youngster Kate Burley also showcased her worth with five deflections and a gain. The increased defensive pressure paid dividends for the Stars while Mystics goal defence Phoenix Karaka starred with three gains, one intercept and three deflections. Karaka was a real workhorse down back confusing the space and also showing her attacking attributes with a five centre pass receives to transition the ball into the goal circle. Typical goal shooter Saviour Tui came onto the court with the goal attack bib late in the term to replace Asher Grapes who while had struggled to find the net throughout the game did a wealth of work out the front to feed Nweke and create space. Tui eased her way into the game using her height to provide an option across the court while also displaying her ability to go to post.

With a four-goal buffer still in play the Stars threw everything they had at Mystics in the third term to win the quarter and ultimately cut the deficit to a mere two goals thanks to Wilson and Hume going on a three goal run and the defence end kicking it up a gear. The Stars forced Northern Mystics into making four more turnovers and capitalised on those chances. In hope to find some fresh legs Dani Gray made her way into centre replacing youngster Tayla Earle while wing attack Peta Toeava continued her heavy workload with her ball movement and impressive vision on full display thanks to her seven goal assists. For the Stars Lisa Mather and Fa’amu Ioane stepped up a gear to take control through the midcourt and have an influence with their ball movement and defensive pressure taking centre stage with a combined two gains and two intercepts. The Stars dominated the play controlling the tempo of the game throughout the third term and limiting the Mystics’ opportunity to hit the scoreboard as easily.

Down by a couple of goals heading into the last quarter, the Stars did not have enough to go with their opponents eventually falling four goals short. The Mystics backed themselves across the court with wing defence Courtney Elliot plying her trade and Sulu Fitzpatrick going about her business despite not registering her normal stats filling performance. Earle and Toeava combined once again with the two using their speed and quick release to cause havoc and get the defenders heads swinging in the final term to secure the win. The influence of Grace Kara in wing attack for the Stars was important with the captain using her experience to hit the circle edge and deliver well weighted passes into the circle.

Despite slowing her scoring down in the second half Nweke notched up a team-high 40 goals from 43 attempts at 93 per cent while Tui finished at 80 per cent after slotting 16 goals from 20 attempts. The Stars were led by Wilson with the 188cm shooter scoring 40 goals from 45 attempts at 89 per cent while Hume struggled to find her rhythm under the post converting 15 goals from 24 shots.