Raiders’ young guns find a way past Phoenix after slow start

Raiders under-18 development squad recovered from a sluggish start to power past Phoenix on their way to a fifth win of the women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night.

Phoenix came into the round 12 fixture aiming to snap a three-game losing streak and they started brightly before things slipped away quickly.

Having recently competed in the country championships, it was like the young Raiders needed 15 minutes to find their groove.

With coach Darren Berry swinging the changes, the Raiders finally began to find scoring options in attack and choke Phoenix at the other end as they scored three consecutive baskets to snatch the lead back before a Kayla Thomas free throw after the half-time buzzer put her side four points ahead.

Raiders continued their scoring in the second half as they went on an 11-0 run that proved the decisive period of the game.

They forced countless Phoenix turnovers and their speedy transition time after time caught their opponents out.

Hollee Siviour ended the Raiders’ run and her side did well to limit the damage late in the game, dragging the deficit back to single figures as they began to become more aggressive in the point.

That sent them to the free-throw line regularly in the latter stages of the game, but Raiders did enough to improve their record to 5-4 after a nine-point triumph.

Raiders spread their scoring around, with Indianna Weeden (8 points), Madison Dallimore (5) and Nardi Humphries (4) all keys parts of the 24-15 victory.

Siviour again led the way for Phoenix, finishing with 10 points and providing plenty of fight on the defensive end but her side were again sloppy at times when in possession.

In the other fixture, Flames led by a point at half-time before Magpies took control of the contest to also claim a nine-point win.

Jasmyne Jones was the cornerstone of the Magpies’ win, knocking down 19 points as they prevailed 43-34, while Indianna Weeden and Alyssa Ward scored 10 points apiece for Flames.