Gritty win for Sonics to keep finals chances alive in Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade comp

Sonics recorded a vital 16-point victory in their quest to play finals, prevailing over a gallant Raiders under-18 development squad in the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night. Basketball returned from the mid-season break and Sonics fended off a strong challenge from Raiders in the second half of their round 11 clash to keep their finals hopes alive. Aleesha Narkle led from the front in the victory, stepping up in big moments when Raiders came hard in the final 25 minutes. Sonics led by 16 points at the main break but Raiders would not go away, reducing the margin to just one possession at one stage in the second half. Raiders scored the first three buckets in the second half and had 14 of the opening 15 points to reduce the margin to just three with 12 minutes left to play. Narkle hit three consecutive free throws to push the margin back to six, but Raiders kept fighting, with Lily Parker-Halstead scoring two baskets, split by a field goal from Sonics’ Jessica Leamon, as they trailed by four. The deficit grew to eight on the back of four straight points from Narkle before Parker-Halstead kept Raiders in the contest with five minutes remaining. However, Sonics finished full of running as they hit seven straight points to emerge 44-28 winners. Narkle hit 10 second-half points to finish with a game-high 16, while Leamon added 10 and Ella Scamozzi scored nine. Parker-Halstead did everything she could in the final 25 minutes, scoring all of her 10 points in the keyway but despite her side’s gallant efforts they fell to their eighth consecutive loss. Barking Owls leapfrogged Sonics Blue into second spot after a comfortable 27-point victory. Rebecca Benson was impressive in her first game with a 27-point haul as her side won easily, 48-21. Bethel Breakers knocked off ladder leaders Infernos by nine points as Brodie Dixon and Valerie Corbett combined for 27 points. Dixon dropped 15 points and Corbett added 12 in the 36-27 win, while Enya Marques hit eight for Infernos but they fell to their second loss of the season. Griffins kept their finals chances alive with a dominant 39-point win over Railways. The 58-19 victory was set up by Summer Stirling (15 points), Danielle Carne (14) and Rhiannon Williams-Jolley (14).