Sonics finish their season on a high after edging out Barking Owls in final round of ABA men’s A-grade season

Sonics capped their season off with a win in the final round of the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade competition on Tuesday, pushing past Barking Owls with a six-point victory.

The Owls had jumped out to a 29-27 lead halfway through the second half but a late flurry of baskets sealed a first-place finish for Sonics at the completion of the regular season.

Harry Watters hit a lay-up to push the margin out to four before Sonics’ Calum Dixon answered back with a basket of his own.

Lucas Ravenhill was fouled on a lay-up attempt inside the paint but couldn’t convert the three-point play, with Sonics then scoring six unanswered points to wrest back a two-point lead.

Watters hit a corner three to stem the flow for the Owls and, after a flurry of baskets each way, Justin Benson levelled scores with a clever behind-the-back layup.

Sonics found the rim in reply but Billy McRae bobbed up for another chance at a three-point play after draining a tough lay-up in the process of getting fouled, but he missed the free throw and the scores were level heading into the final three minutes of play.

David Arthur was fouled, hitting both his free throws, then Drew Willcocks scored two more free throws to extend the lead to four.

Calum Dixon put the icing on the cake with an easy finish under the rim as the Sonics ran the clock down to finish 47-41 victors.

Dixon finished as the highest scorer, hitting one three-pointer on his way to 13 points, while Arthur (nine points) and Willcocks (eight) both played important supporting roles.

Watters’ three triples helped him to a team-high 11 points for the Owls, while Ravenhill hit three field goals on his way to eight points.

Railways Tigers avoided a wooden-spoon finish after edging past Griffins with a thrilling 46-45 result as Cleve Humphries (17) dominated offensively.

Zac Beeck (12) toiled hard in a losing affair in the absence of star player Sam Holmes but the Tigers rallied for their third win of the season.

Denmark Magpies destroyed Infernos with a 27-point win as Flynn Wauters (14) and Sam Finigan (nine) led the way in the 46-19 result.

Meanwhile, an outstanding offensive display helped Barking Owls finish on top of the women’s A-grade ladder with a 55-point win against Raiders.

Tall forward Narelle Humphries controlled the paint to finish with 32 points, while Rebecca Benson (19) also shone.

Griffins outlasted a determined Sonics Blue with a comfortable 10-point win.

Scores were locked at 21-all halfway through the second half but a concerted team effort saw them emerge with a 40-30 win in the end.

Angelina De Giambattista (14) and Emma Henderson (7) led the way in their 13th win of the season, while Telikah Collins toiled hard in a losing affair for Sonics Blue.

In the final women’s A-grade fixture, Railways Tigers forfeited against Sonics.