Throughout it all Fakahokotau's face remains impassive. She jogs nonchalantly back to take her place in the goal circle next to Bassett, looking over her shoulder to make sure her hard work is rewarded with a goal at the other end of the court. The inspirational play helps the Mystics level the score with the Fever, who enjoyed the early running in the match. The Mystics go on to win the match by 12 goals, with Fakahokotau one of the standouts in an impressive all-round performance.
Helene Wilson, the Mystics assistant coach, first came across Fakahokotau when she was brought in to coach the Westlake Girls High School senior A team five years ago. At just 14, Fakahokotau was the "baby" of the team, but she was also one of the stars. That year Westlake Girls - not known as a netball powerhouse - made it all the way to the New Zealand Secondary Schools finals for the first time in the school's history. Wilson was struck by the impressive young defender's court sense, showing a real maturity to her game with strong vision and timing.
She was still a very raw talent though, and Wilson, an athlete life adviser at High Performance Sport NZ, worked closely with Fakahokotau during her high school years to ensure the youngster didn't waste her potential.
"She had to learn the training ethic to be a high performance athlete," said Wilson,
"She had times where she got into teams and she had times when she missed out, and she needed to experience that as it forced her to make a decision of whether she was going to put in the work."
Wilson, who joined the Mystics coaching team this year, didn't need to plump for Fakahokotau's selection in the franchise. The young defender was already on Debbie Fuller's radar after a standout performance for the Northern Zone at the U23 national championships last year.
Struck with a horror run with injuries in the pre-season, Fuller had no choice but to throw Fakahokotau straight into action in the ANZ Championship, with the rookie clocking up plenty of minutes early this year. But even when former Silver Fern Anna Harrison and veteran defender Jodi Tod-Elliot returned to action, Fakahokotau demanded selection.
At 1.83m tall Fakahokotau is relatively small for a defender these days, but her physical presence and aerial ability is extraordinary.
Despite only recently being given the opportunity to play full matches, Fakahokotau is the third leading intercept-taker in the league alongside one of the game's best, Vixens import Geva Mentor.
"She's a confident big game player. She likes challenges and she likes getting out there and making her mark," said Wilson.
"Her work-on has been able to put that full 60 minute performance out on court, and she's getting better and better every week."
Fakahokotau's X-factor qualities caught the attention of national coach Waimarama Taumaunu, who invited the teenager to train with Silver Ferns squad in the regional "cluster" sessions. It is unlikely Fakahokotau will be considered for the Commonwealth Games team, but she is tipped to be among the trialists for the 2014-15 Silver Ferns squad in September.
Wilson is delighted with the progress her young charge has made this season, and even more heartened to see Fakahokotau admit she has lot more work to do to ensure she can make the same sort of impact in 2015.
"The thing that makes me really proud is that this talented kid who could outplay anyone from 14 to 18 years old has learned to work hard and put in the training so she can perform at this level."
