ABA 2023-24: Sonics title glory thanks to a much-needed ‘wake-up call’, according to coach David Arthur Sr

Sonics’ qualifying final loss served as a much-needed “wake-up” call, according to coach David Arthur Sr after defeating Barking Owls to become Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade premiers for the second time in four seasons. A clinical Sonics side capped off a remarkable unbeaten regular season as they downed the Owls by 10 points, but Arthur Sr conceded the result would have been much different had they not suffered their first loss of the season a week prior. Sonics were handed their a shocking 11-point defeat by the Owls in the qualifying final then cruised past Denmark in the preliminary final before getting their revenge in the decider with a 65-55 triumph, adding to their first A-grade title clinched in 2020-21. “I think the qualifying final was a bit of a wake-up call. I’m pretty sure that if we had of scraped through with that one the grand final might have been a different story,” Arthur Sr said. “That was the one that the boys got shaken up a bit and said ‘oh we can be beaten’ and we came out against Denmark and reversed the role a little bit.” Sonics found countless scoring options in their 65-55 victory both inside and out with fast-paced ball movement and electrifying handles led by season MVP Mark Elentorio. Elentorio was active at both ends of the floor, finding small pockets through the Owls’ defence whether he was slashing to the hoop or dishing assists to their plethora of perimeter shooters. His 14-point and four-steal game collected him the finals MVP, securing the award double in the process. “He’s just incredible, he releases the pressure of David (Arthur Jr) and can be the focal point of our team,” Arthur Sr said. “He’s fast, he’s skilful and athletic and he is just incredible — he’s just a dream.” Sharing their scoring load across the court, Sonics finished the opening 20 minutes with a 16-4 run to take a commanding 36-21 lead into the main break. Sonics continued their scoring dominance in the second half with Mason Tion shooting the lights out from beyond the arc as they blew the game apart to take a match-high 18-point advantage. In just his fourth match for Sonics of the season, Tion finished with four threes at 50 per cent and drove a dagger into the Owls’ comeback hopes with each long-range bomb. David Arthur Jr scored 14 points with two shots from long range while Ben Queay (12 points) tirelessly crashed the boards at both ends. “Mason gave the boys a bit of direction bit of voice on the court with a bit of maturity and he was very handy inclusion,” Arthur Sr said. “This is huge for Sonics, we’ve been in this for four years now and we have had two wins and one loss. “From a club point of view and for our junior it’s something we can look at, it’s just amazing.” The Owls were unable to generate many open looks and relied heavily on James Watters, who had an enormous game with a match-high 23 points. He constantly drove to the basket in heavy traffic, converting highly contested shots giving his side a glimmer of hope. Evan Delbene scored 19 points behind two threes as the Owls’ other major contributor. Owls player-coach Justin Benson said his side lacked composure but were buoyed by James Watters’ spectacular outing. “They were a little bit more composed and I think offensively, they moved the ball better,” Benson said. “Mark certainly deserved MVP but I thought James (Watters) was the best player on the floor, he was unstoppable. “We actually played really well at the end, but it was just a bit delayed.”