Bethel Breakers long range shooting helps fend-off strong challenge from Railways to remain in second spot

Rising star Brodie Dixon stood tall in crucial stages to lift Bethel Breakers to a tense four-point victory over a determined Railways on Tuesday night. The Breakers secured their fifth win of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade season and remain in second spot after holding off Railways in the second half of the round-seven contest. Railways were boosted by the inclusion of star playmaker Nardia Humphries but they fell to their sixth loss of the season. After leading by five points at half-time, the Breakers kept their opponents at bay in the final 25 minutes thanks to some heroics from Brodie Dixon to prevail 30-26 winners. Brodie Dixon had six points to her name at the main break before dropping nine vital points in the second half, including the last six for her side, to finish with a game-high 15. Humphries scored instantly to open the second half before Brodie Dixon knocked down a triple for an immediate reply but Tayah Dallimore hit back for Railways, only for Ehbarlay Paw to push the margin back to six. Scoring dried up with, neither side netting a basket for five minutes until Jess Rintoul scored for Railways — only for Paw to hit back again. Rintoul stepped up again but Dixon ensured her side kept a six-point buffer. Then Humphries knocked down one free throw attempt, and two minutes later scored a lay-up to reduce the margin to three with just over four minutes left. Dixon extended Breakers’ margin again, but Sophie Turner hit a long-range two to get Railways back in the game inside the final two minutes. Humphries had two free-throw attempts inside the final minute and was successful with the second to get the margin back to two but a long-range pass and fast break to Dixon in the dying seconds sealed the tense win for Breakers. Humphries finished with eight points in her first game and Tayah Dallimore added six but it wasn’t enough. Infernos remain clear on top of the ladder as they prevailed by 18 points over Sonics. Jorja Ward led the way with 14 points in the 38-20 win while Aleesha Narkle top-scored with nine for Sonics. Barking Owls gave themselves some breathing space in fourth spot on the back of a 16-point win over Raiders under-18s. Abbi Gibson knocked down 13 points in the 41-25 win. Sonics Blue won their fifth game after prevailing 40-25 over Griffins led by Telikah Collins (12 points) and Casey Griffiths (10). Danielle Carne dropped 10 for Griffins.