Pies still flying high at top after ending Raiders’ run

Magpies have ended the Raiders under-18 development squad’s winning streak to maintain their place on top of the ladder after a five-point triumph in round 12 of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night.

Raiders came into the clash having won their past four matches as they pushed for a top-two spot but in searching for a fifth straight result, they came unstuck at the hands of the title fancies.

Magpies led by five points at half-time and increased that margin to eight early in the second period but Raiders wouldn’t go away.

Kayla Thomas rallied her young side and the classy Alyssa Ward came up with a couple of important baskets as they continued to challenge Magpies throughout the second half.

With nine minutes to play, the Magpies’ lead had been trimmed to only two points but star Nardia Humphries was not about to let her side lose their fourth game of the season as she worked hard at both ends of the court.

Magpies, through Humphries and forward Rachael Goetze (six second-half points), quickly pushed the deficit back to 11 points inside the final five minutes and, despite a gallant Raiders pushing the ball quickly in transition, they simply could not do enough to unnerve the ladder-leaders.

Humphries top-scored with 21 points in another impressive effort, while Goetze was the other major scoring option with eight for the winners.

Ward led from the front for Raiders with 12 points, while Thomas hit eight points and Juliette Storm managed five in the 30-35 loss.

In a game riddled with fouls from both sides, Panthers improved their win-loss record to 8-4 after a nine-point victory over Flames.

Point guards Ella Scamozzi and Thomas each knocked down 11 points, while Jade Dimer was terrific in support with 10 points as Panthers cruised to a 49-40 result.

Flames trailed by double figures for large parts of the match and are still chasing an elusive win despite the best efforts of Savannah Hill (eight points) and Zandalee Arthur (five).