A destructive second half helped Albany Raiders to a commanding 17-point victory over Sonics Blue to kickstart their Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade season in perfect fashion.
Raiders led by two points at half time of their season opener before their swarming defence finally broke Sonics Blue’s offensive rhythm and they stormed away to a 20-2 run to blow the game apart on Tuesday night.
Keely Berry (12 points) typified the Raiders’ defence with an overbearing presence in the key way while setting up their offence with rapid transitions in the stirring 43-26 win.
Ava Marmion partnered Berry soundly with nine points and Winter Proudfoot finished with seven, including one three-pointer.
Aleesha Narkle played a lone hand for Sonics Blue with 12 points including two baskets from long range.
The first half was played mainly in transition with neither side able to grapple momentum of the fast-paced encounter, but Sonics Blue started hot with a 9-1 run in the early stages before the Raiders clawed their way back.
A Rebecca Benson-led Barking Owls got early redemption over their grand final superiors, defeating premiers Denmark Magpies by nine points.
Benson was electric in offence with 20 points, two coming for the perimeter, and Dakota Bremner chipped in with a vital 13 points.
Last year’s season most valuable player Danielle Carne was crucial for the Magpies with a team-high 16 points.
In the final match of the round, newly formed Railways Tigers declared themselves as an early finals fancy after smashing Sonics Grey by 21 points.
The Tigers found even contributions across the floor, with Tayeesha Weeden (nine points), Shanaya Weeden (eight), Enya Marques (seven) and Casey Greay (six) all with vital contributions.
Shianne Arther led the way for Sonics Grey with seven points.
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