Sonics 2 survive scare against the Valkyries, while Raiders secure their first win of women’s A-grade season

Sonics 2 survived a huge second-half scare from the Valkyries while the Albany Raiders secured their first win in the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night.

After a blistering first half scoring 26-12, Sonics 2 struggled to continue their dominance in the second half to hold off a spirited Valkyries side to prevail 52-49.

Sonics 2 were only able to field five players, and in the second half their lack of bench rotations started to take its toll as the Valkyries sparked a magnificent comeback.

The Valkyries’ Shanaya Weeden scored 10 second-half points on her way to 14 while Indianna Weeden (11) and Narelle Humphries (9) were the other key contributors.

However, Aleesha Narkle’s 18 points steered Sonics 2 to the three-point triumph.

Phoenix Woods (14) was Sonics 2’s other main avenue to the hoop while Lauren Bracewell chipped in with 10.

The Raiders under-18 development squad finally secured their first win of the season after smashing Sonics 3, 49-15.

However, they turned the tables on Tuesday evening, decisively disposing of a lacklustre Sonics 3 side by 34 points.

They came extremely close to getting off the mark in October when they drew with the Valkyries and have only lost their previous two matches with Sonics 3 by a combined nine points.

Keely Berry, who dominated for the Owls later in the evening, had the hot hand with 12 points while Dakota Bremner chipped in with 10 points including two threes.

Michaela Buck shot lights out from beyond the arc with three triples while Milla Trichilo hit two.

The Owls flexed their muscles at the top of the ladder cruising past second-placed Denmark by 21 points.

The Owls’ Keely Berry was instrumental in both halves dropping a game-high 23 points while Rebecca Benson’s (16) dynamic offence gave Denmark’s defence constant headaches.

Denmark’s Danielle Carne scored nine points while Ashlee Kerr hit two threes.