ABA 2023-24: Young Raiders well held by rampant Denmark, Barking Owls shoot lights out in thumping of Sonics 2

Denmark and Barking Owls flexed their muscles with dominant displays in round eight of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night. The pair sit comfortably inside the top two of the standings after Denmark held the Raiders under-18 development squad to just nine points while Owls recorded a thumping 48-point win. Denmark set up their fifth win of the season with a crushing opening 20 minutes, holding their young rivals scoreless. Experienced pair Danielle Carne and Summer Stirling feasted on their side’s momentum as they combined for 17 points in the first half. Denmark led 25-0 at the break and despite a better effort in the second period, Raiders went down by 40 points at the finish. Guard Emma Henderson came alive in the last half and finished with three long-range baskets in her 12-point haul that kept Denmark well clear of their opponents. Carne also ended the night with 12 points and a stack of rebounds while Stirling (nine points) and Amy Dominiak (seven) also played vital roles in the 49-9 triumph. Denmark sit clear in second with 0.5 points average better than the third-placed Valkyries and they have enjoyed a strong past month with three wins and one draw. Raiders remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder, having not won a game so far in 2023-24. A brilliant shooting display helped Owls thrash Sonics 2, with competition star Rebecca Benson leading the way. Owls scored the first nine points of the game and Benson converted consecutive long range baskets midway through the first in danger signs for Sonics 2. Benson was left far too much room in offence, knocking down six triples on her way to a game-high 24 points. Emerging young duo Tatum Whalley and Keely Berry also had superb nights in the 75-27 result. Whalley banked three from long range to finish with 19 points and Berry was a real presence under the glass and chipped in with 16 points. Sonics 2 trailed 15-53 at half-time and that deficit was far too big to overcome, despite the efforts of Aleesha Narkle (eight) and Lily Parker-Halstead (six). In the other A-grade contest, Valkyries made it two wins from their past three matches, taking care of Sonics 3 by 27 points. Shooting guard Shanaya Weeden played well in transition on her way to 22 points and she was well supported by teammates Angelina De Giambattista (19) and Tayeesha Weeden (11). Shianne Arthur was a shining light for Sonics 3 with 17 points, including three from deep.