ABA 2023-24: Valkyries keep season alive by eliminating Sonics 2, powerful Owls book grand final berth

A dominant Valkyries eliminated Sonics 2 from the finals race while Barking Owls defeated Denmark in the qualifying final of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition. Valkyries confirmed their spot in next week’s preliminary final after defeating Sonics 2, 35-28, in the elimination final on Tuesday night. Both teams struggled for offensive rhythm in the first half and the game was spent largely in transition with both teams trading field goals through the opening 10 minutes. Valkyries duo Shanaya and Tayeesha Weeden dazzled in the latter stages of the first half combining to fire their side to a 10-nil run, propelling their team to a commanding nine-point half-time lead. Sonics 2 found their offensive groove in the second half mainly through Aleesha Narkle with 10 points, but could not quell Valkyries’ scoring form. Despite winning the second half 19-17, Sonics 2 ultimately bowed out of the premiership race. Shanaya Weeden scored a game-high 12 points with three-pointers while Narelle Humphries bullied her way under the rim with eight points. Tayeesha Weeden was their other key contributor with six points. Valkyries’ victory means they will face Denmark in the preliminary final after they went down to the Owls earlier on. Owls had won nine of their past 10 matches heading into the qualifying final and a clinical second half steered them to a 44-36 triumph. Rebecca Benson was dominant across the court shooting the lights out from three-point land and crashing the boards at both ends of the floor. The dead-eye converted five buckets from beyond the arc on her way to a game-high 25 points and started the game in scintillating fashion with 14 points coming in the opening 20 minutes. The Owls led at the break by two points before flexing their muscles in the second half to take an eight-point victory and book a grand final berth. Ruby Steele played a key hand for the Owls with eight points, while Casey Gabriel chipped in with seven. Denmark’s Danielle Carne was gallant in defeat with 17 points while Emma Henderson hit one three on her way to seven points.