Sonics progress to prelim, top-two sides face off for spot in ABA women’s A-grade decider

Crystal Blues and Valkyries will meet in an intriguing Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade second semifinal tonight.

Sonics have advanced straight through to next week’s preliminary final after finishing third on the ladder.

With only four teams in the women’s A-grade competition, Raiders’ under-18 development squad finished fourth, but the ABA has ruled they will not take part in finals this season.

Sonics will face the loser of the Crystal Blues v Valkyries match, while the winner progresses straight through to the decider on March 26.

Crystal Blues finished the season on top of the ladder and advanced to their second straight finals campaign since joining the women’s top-tier competition.

Valkyries also joined the competition last season and will make their second finals appearance.

The two sides have met on six occasions this season, with Crystal Blues winning four of those matches.

However their two defeats have come at the hands of rivals Valkyries.

Crystal Blues and Valkyries met in the final round last week with Crystal Blues hanging on to a thrilling three-point victory, which sets up an exciting showdown tonight.

WOMEN’S A-GRADE FINALS

Second Semifinal, 6pm on Court 7 — Crystal Blues v Valkyries