The Northern Mystics are back at home for the first time since round 2, where we welcome the WBOP Magic into our house for a heritage round clash.

With both teams coming off comprehensive Round 5 wins, where neither team dropped a quarter, this match set to be a mammoth battle.

The Mystics are looking to build on the impressive full team performance they put out last round against the Pulse, with Captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson saying, “We want to show people, and show ourselves, that it wasn’t just a one off, and that we can be a really connected team that can play with that sort of precision and execution and just do our jobs.”

But with the Magic on a winning streak and making a push for the top three, the Mystics are under no illusion that this will be the toughest of battles, “They don’t really cough up the ball. They’re very tight on the outside of the circle, they shut the shot down, they’re moving in the back, really trying to hunt down those intercepts on the attack end. They’ve got a good holder. They’ve got two good shooters that can shoot. We know that they’re good and we’re really going to have to turn up if we want to beat them” says Sokolich-Beatson.

For the Mystics, the focus this week has been on continuing to build on their strong foundations, “Really focussing on execution, focussing on doing our jobs, and just really making sure we keep the pressure on ourselves and each other to do our job,” says Sokolich Beatson.

The pick of the match ups will see two of this season’s highest performing and exciting young players come face to face, as Mystics defender Catherine Hall looks to continue her distruptive form and shut down ball into the unflappable Saviour Tui.

The Mystics will again be without Donnell Wallam, as the shooter gives her wrist another week in recovery, but have options in the circle with Hannah Glen, Filda Vui and Sophia Lafaiali’i posting impressive stats of their own, including 100% in 2pt shots against the Pulse last week.

Monday night’s match is also a heritage match for the Mystics and the players will take to the court in one of the franchises past dresses, paying respect to those players that have come before them, “I think it’s so special to be wearing our heritage dress, and we’ve got some past players coming to the match, so that will be cool. We’ve got a really nice feeling in the group this week around heritage round, we know about the past players that have come before us and we know how much they did to get the Mystics to where they are now. “ says Sokolich-Beatson.

The Mystics can’t wait to get back out in front of their home fans and former players on Monday night and light up Trusts Arena, the captain summing it up nicely, “It’s so good to be home. I’m really excited!” So come on Mystics whānau – let’s get along and support them!

Mystics v Magic
Monday 16th June, 7:30pm
Trusts Arena, Waitakere