Isabella De Giambattista helps Crystal Blues remain undefeated in ABA women’s A-grade competition

A sensational 17-point haul by youngster Isabella De Giambattista helped Crystal Blues record their second victory of the new Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night. Crystal Blues showed they will be tough to beat this season after winning their opening two games in impressive style, highlighted by the hard-fought victory against Sonics in round two. De Giambattista led her side to a 13-point victory after scoring 11 second-half points to go with seven in the first 20 minutes. Crystal Blues led by five points at half-time and then won the second half by eight to remain undefeated. Sonics trailed early in the first half before they got within a point. However, Crystal Blues scored the last six points to ensure they had the ascendancy at half-time. Inside the first three minutes of the last half the margin was out to a game-high nine points before again Sonics hit back and cut the deficit to two after seven unanswered points. From that moment Crystal Blues dominated on the offensive end and defended well causing several turnovers as they ran out 42-29 winners. De Giambattista top-scored with 17, including eight field goals, while Georgia Clark added eight and Gerogia Kowald and Casey Griffiths proved difficult to get past in defence. Sheridan Kowald (10 points) led the way for Sonics and hit one long-range basket and she was well supported by Valerie Corbett and Maddie Dallimore. Valkyries bounced back from their round-one loss to notch their first win of the season against Raiders under-18s. After leading by 11 at half-time, Valkyries were able to extend their margin in the second half to record a big 50-33 triumph. Narelle Humphries led the way for Valkyries with 13 points and Tay Weeden chipped with nine while for Raiders Abbi Gibson (13) and De Giambattista (12) were solid contributors.