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Dominant start from Storm enough to hold Raiders at bay

Taj StubberAlbany Advertiser
Raiders' Casey Griffiths.
Camera IconRaiders' Casey Griffiths. Credit: Laurie Benson

Kinjarling Storm remain the only undefeated side, but only after overcoming a brave Raiders outfit in round 8 of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night.

Nardia Humphries was instrumental for Kinjarling, her game-high 17 points helping hold the young Raiders at bay.

A dominant opening was the difference in the end, Kinjarling producing a 13-0 run in the first five minutes of the clash.

Valerie Corbett was injected into the game for Raiders, dropping 12 of the next 17 points to help her side trail by four with less than two minutes to play in the first half.

Kinjarling led by six points at the half-time break after an Imogen Sivwright basket on the buzzer.

Kinjarling Storm's Mackenzie Pratt runs the ball down court.
Camera IconKinjarling Storm's Mackenzie Pratt runs the ball down court. Credit: Laurie Benson

Humphries stood tall in the second half, her 11 points in the final 25 minutes vital as Kinjarling hung on to win, 41-33.

Both teams had periods in control during the second half but Kinjarling did enough to make it three wins on the trot. Tay Weeden gave Raiders some hope late and then Georgia Ward converted two free throws to reduce the margin to six with just over one minute to play.

A calming basket from Sivwright secured the eight-point triumph as Humphries (17 points) was well supported in offence by Abbi Gibson (10). Corbett top scored with 14 points while Casey Griffiths chipped in with eight of her own.

Panthers survived a scare from Valkyries in their round-eight clash, winning 54-53, thanks to a Kayla Thomas buzzer beater.

Panthers led by two at half-time 22-20 and pulled away by 10 points entering the final six minutes.

Kinjarling Storm's Chelsi Mier takes control.
Camera IconKinjarling Storm's Chelsi Mier takes control. Credit: Laurie Benson

Three successful shots from beyond the arc and then a basket to Weeden helped Valkyries level the scores with three minutes to play.

Darcy Kerr nailed two free throws for Panthers before Valkyries hit the front for the first time after Macy Lane dropped a long bomb.

Valkyries had the ball in the last 30 seconds but turned it over.

Thomas went all the way from halfway to drop a running floater on the buzzer and give her side a thrilling one-point win.

Sheridan Kowald was in everything with 22 points while Thomas added 15.

Griffiths and Woods led the way for Valkyries with 15 points apiece.

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