Storm blitz fellow new kids on the block Valkyries in season opener

Kinjarling Storm started their debut season with an impressive win against Valkyries on Tuesday night in round one of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition.

Both in their first season, Kinjarling jumped out of the blocks in the season opener, leading by seven points early in the opening fixture.

Valkyries found their feet, scoring the next five points to reduce the margin to two points.

Kinjarling pushed the margin back out to eight points before Indi Weeden hit a free throw on the half-time buzzer to reduce the margin to seven points.

Narelle Humphries quickly pushed the margin to 11 points early in the second half, before Casey Griffith’s reply three got her side back to eight points behind.

Kinjarling pushed the margin out to a game-high 15 points with 13 minutes to play, Weeden hit a three to reduce the margin to 12 and give a glimmer of hope for her side.

Kinjarling scored the next five buckets as the margin ballooned to 22 points, Tay Weeden hit a three- point buzzer-beater to reduce the margin to 19 at the final siren.

Jade Dimmer led all scorers on the court, putting up 12 points for the Kinjarling Storm in their 42-23 win, while Narelle Humphries (11) and Nardia Humphries (nine) were also good.

Indi Weeden (seven points) and Casey Griffith (six) led the way for Valkyries in their first game.

In the other round one fixture, last year’s grand finalists Panthers overcame Crystal Blues.

Crystal Blues led by three points at the half-time break before Panthers clawed their way back, outscoring their opponents, 19-14, in the second half.

Taylah Orzel led all scorers with 10 points for the Panthers while Darcy Kerr (nine points) and Madi Dallimore (eight) were also strong contributors in the 39-37 win.

Crystal Blues’ Shianne Arthur scored an equal game-high 10 points.