Panthers pounce to end Storm’s golden run

Kinjarling Storm fell to their first-ever defeat in the Albany Basketball Association A-grade women’s competition after a determined Panthers side held them at bay in a tense final 10 minutes on Tuesday night. A draw in round four against Panthers was the only result that prevented Storm from having a perfect 10-win record heading into the round 14 clash. However this time Panthers were able to get on top in a dominant first half that helped secure a top-two spot and finals double-chance. Panthers led by 11 points at half-time before Storm were able to claw their way back into the contest to trim the margin to four with nine minutes remaining. Storm kept coming as they wiped away the deficit and Nardia Humphries put in a lay-up to help her side take the lead for the first time with seven minutes to play. Scoring dried up in the tight last few minutes before Casey Gabriel hit one free throw to put Panthers in front. Gabriel grabbed another strong offensive rebound and was fouled in the process, calmly sinking one free throw to double her side’s advantage inside the final minute. Panthers defended desperately in the last minute while Storm had possession but Panthers hung on 38-36. Runners-up last season, Panthers jumped out of the blocks quickly, pushing the margin to double figures midway through the first half. Kayla Thomas and Ella Scamozzi led the way for the victors with 15 and 13 points respectively while Nardia and Narelle Humphries tried everything they could for Storm with 10 points each. Jessica Leamon was the hero for Crystal Blues in their clash against Valkyries, hitting two free throws after the buzzer to seal the win. Casey Griffiths put Valkyries up by one point with less than a minute to go before Leamon was fouled in the process of a three-point shot in the dying seconds. Leamon hit two free throws as Blues got up 45-44. Shianne Arthur dropped 17 points in the victory.