ABA 2023-24: Raiders clutch two-point victory to avoid spoon as ladder positions locked in for finals

Albany Raiders secured a clutch two-point victory to elevate themselves from the bottom of the ladder in the final round of the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade competition on Tuesday. With an ironclad defence that held strong at both ends of the court, the Raiders fended off a spirited Sonics 3 team in a nail-biting encounter to emerge victorious 46-44. The hard-fought win also propelled them past their opponents, escaping the dreaded wooden spoon. The biggest margin in the game was five points early in the first half and it reached just four in the second half. With two minutes to go and a four-point deficit, Sonics 3’s Telikah Collins nailed a crucial layup before Stephanie De Borrello equalised moments later. With a minute to go, Raiders’ Dakota Bremner then secured a late two-point lead before a wayward inbound in the dying seconds handed Sonics 3’s Shianne Arthur a shot for the win — but to no avail. Bremner led the Raiders with 10 points, while Tatum Whalley was instrumental in the one-spot with nine points. Collins finished with a game-high 20 points for Sonics 3. Locked in third place, Valkyries found their offensive groove heading into finals with a 21-point victory over fourth-placed Sonics 2. Valkyries’ Demi Mortimer hit three long-ranged bombs on her way to a game-high 16 points, while Narelle Humphries added 13 points. Aleesha Narkle toiled for Sonics 2 with nine points, including a three-pointer. Barking Owls finished top of the ladder three points ahead of Denmark after defeating them on forfeit. The Owls play Denmark in the qualifying final on Tuesday night for a spot on the grand and Valkyries will take on Sonics 2 in the elimination final. In the men’s A-grade matches, fourth-placed Denmark gained some much-needed momentum after beating their ladder superiors Ambassadors 27-22. Denmark slashed to the basket in trademark fashion, 11 of their points coming from the line, with Luke Wilson leading the floor converting five free throws on his way to a court-high 13 points. Jesse Carman was the Ambassadors’ best with eight points, including a triple. Despite neither side making the finals, Railways Tigers and Griffins Crusaders produced the match of the night with a one-point thriller. Tigers emerged 39-38 victors over their rivals in the thrilling showdown and snapped a four-game losing streak in the process to finish their season on a high. Ashton Henrickson scored a team-high 13 points in his side’s triumph, while Aiden Clothier and Kobi Doust-Pamplin each contributed eight. Jayden-Paul Devenish hit 13 points for the Crusaders and Joley Graham converted two from long range. Sonics were handed their 16th consecutive victory to complete their perfect season after defeating North Albany Kangaroos on forfeit. The Owls were handed a victory without stepping foot on court after the Raiders forfeited their fixture. In the finals, Sonics will play Barking Owls in the qualifying final next Tuesday for a spot in the decider, while Ambassadors will take on Denmark in the elimination final.