ABA 2025-26: Top marks for Sonics Blue as they notch 10th win from 10 games with easy win over Raiders

Sonics Blue can give themselves 10 out of 10 after notching up another victory in the Albany Basketball Association’s men’s A-grade competition to go into the Christmas break at the top of the ladder. Their 100 per cent record was maintained on Tuesday night at the expense of the Raiders, whose plucky effort ended in defeat 64-42. It was their 10th win on the trot. The under-18s had the consolation of providing the game’s top scorer in Thomas Phillips, whose 14 points was a decent personal haul in a losing cause. However, the reliable Mason Tion made another telling contribution to lead the Blue effort with 12 points. The Raiders briefly held the momentum when a three-pointer from Marley Cox put them 5-2 up early on but while the youngsters made occasional inroads after that, Sonics were in control and led 39-19 at the break. The table toppers continued to score regularly in the second half with Raiders enjoying occasional relief on the counter-attack through Harrison Sedgwick and Charlie McGregor. Railways Tigers sit second on the ladder and had to fight all the way against Denmark Magpies before running out winners 38-33. The sides were locked at 28-28 midway through the second half but a three-pointer from Calum Dixon and a Drew Willcocks basket gave Tigers some breathing space which they managed to maintain. Jackson Shaw was the Magpies’ main man with 10 points while Willcocks was best for Tigers with 13. The victory put Tigers four points behind Blue and six clear of Denmark in third. Just behind the Magpies are the Barking Owls who enjoyed a comfortable outing against Sonics Grey. After his effort earlier in the evening for Raiders, Phillips was again in form, bagging 13 points for the struggling outfit with Aiden Clothier helping out with 11. However, Sedgwick, his Raiders teammate, scored 20 points for the Owls as the pair jostled for bragging rights. Justin Benson, with 15 points, and Aiden Polette, 13, also made meaningful contributions for the Owls who ran out winners 67-49. In the women’s competition, Barking Owls notched a victory over their main rivals Magpies to go into the break with a two-point lead on the ladder. Lumeah Masih, Ashlee Kerr and Danielle Carne each scored 10 points for the Magpies but their efforts were not enough to trump Keely Berry and Dakota Bremner, who collected 11 apiece for the Owls. The lead changed hands several times during an even opening spell, the Magpies edging ahead when Kerr landed a three-pointer and Ali Judd backed her effort with two more to move 13-8 up. However, by the time the half was almost done, Berry had drawn Owls level and they were 25-22 ahead at the break. Despite Magpies’ best efforts, the Owls were not headed from then on, leading 38-31 before their opponents battled back to within a point. However, Milla Trichilo and Bremner clinched key baskets to give Owls the clear water they needed for a 52-46 final score. In the other contest, Sonics were comfortable winners over Railways Tigers 53-26. Shiane Arthur led the way for Sonics with 14 points while Kaylee Arthur (13) and Brooke Hanlon (12) ran her close. Angelina de Giambattista (10) led the way for Tigers with sister Isabella bagging seven.