ABA 2023: Last-minute Shanaya Weeden basket hands Valkyries thrilling round one over Sonics in women’s A-grade

Valkyries have started their season in winning fashion after emerging youngster Shanaya Weeden saved her side from a certain defeat with a clutch buzzer-beating game-winner in the final seconds against Sonics 2 on Tuesday night. In a thrilling round one women’s A-grade clash in the Albany Basketball Association, Sonics led for the entirety of the contest before Weeden’s heroics ensured Valkyries snatched victory in the most extraordinary fashion. With under five minutes remaining on the clock, Sonics’ Emma Fleck was fouled on a converted basket before missing her free-throw attempt. Sonics were over their foul limit and Lauren Bracewell was fouled at mid-court, sending her to the line for a chance at extending the lead to four but her two attempts went wide of the mark. Moments later Amber Nekel made one of her free throws to push the margin out to three but Isabella De Giambattista answered back with an easy field goal for Valkyries at the other end. Sonics’ Dakota Dimer was fouled and drained one of her two free throws before Fleck narrowly missed her two attempts at the line. With the clock running down, Valkyries’ Narelle Humphries gathered at the top of the arc before dishing a pass to Shanaya Weeden, the sharpshooter rattling in her last-ditch attempt off the backboard to spark joyous scenes among her team. Earlier Sonics and Valkyries jostled for control with Narkle burying a triple and a field goal to help her side out to a 16-11 lead at half-time. A determined Valkyries rocketed back into contention before Shanaya Weeden’s clutch play proved the difference in the opening round of action. The young gun finished with three triples on her way to nine points while Isabella De Giambattista (six points) and Macy Lane (six) were also strong contributors in the thrilling 34-33 victory. Sonics’ Dimer finished as her side’s highest scorer with nine points while Nekel tallied seven points and Narkle had five. Meanwhile, Sonics 3 were narrow 30-26 winners against Albany Raiders as Shianne Arthur buried 16 points. Arthur hit five points from the free-throw line and one from long range in her match-winning haul. Ruby Steele was the Raiders’ highest scorer with seven points while Keely Berry (four) and Dakota Bremner (four) also contributed. Barking Owls got off to a terrific start in their A-grade title defence, defeating the newly formed Denmark 46-39. Rebecca Benson was on fire, netting three triples on her way to 16 points in the seven-point victory. New Denmark recruit Danielle Carne finished with 18 points while Rebecca Goodliffe drained eight points.