ABA 2024-25: Denmark too big for young Raiders, Ambassadors draw with Owls and Kangas keep hopping in men’s A

Denmark Magpies recorded a significant Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade victory, downing Albany Raiders in round 12 on Tuesday night. The Magpies were level on points with Ambassadors in the fight for fourth place on the ladder but a dominant second half powered them to a 22-point win. The young Raiders side were energetic in the first half as they came back from a double figure deficit to trail by only two at half-time. Outside threat Harrison Sedgwick hit three long range baskets while Charlie McGregor and Marley Cox also were successful from beyond the arc as Raiders threw down the challenge to Magpies. However, Magpies were up for the fight, as they took control again and opened an eight-point buffer early on. Luke Wilson was huge at both ends of the floor — his 21 points going a long way to Magpies securing a 67-45 triumph. Jackson Shaw (10 points) and Kye Griffiths (12) provided great support in the Magpies’ fifth win of the season. Sedgwick was a shining light for Raiders in defeat, hitting four triples on his way to a team-high 14 points, and Eli Eaton chipped in with nine. The Magpies are now one point ahead of the fifth-placed Ambassadors, who drew with Barking Owls. The ladder-leading Owls went four points down late in the game before Hamish McMorran and James Watters levelled scores. Owls then snatched back the advantage through veteran Justin Benson, but Simon Clarendon then hit back. Watters hit a single free throw as Owls went ahead but a late foul sent Ambassadors’ Caleb Carman to the line and he scored one free throw as the game ended in a 41-all draw. McMorran (10) and Watters (9) led the way for Owls while Khenneth Manalo was superb for Ambassadors with 13 points, including two from long range. North Albany took another step towards securing a top two finish, handing reigning premiers Sonics a 13-point loss. Sonics led by as much as seven points in the first half and went into half-time ahead by four. However, a 12-2 run midway through the second half swung the momentum back the Kangas favour. Drew Willcocks top scored with 19 points while Jayden-Paul Devenish added 13 as the Kangas won 55-42. David Arthur led the way for Sonics with 13 points, his side now four points adrift of the second-placed Kangas. Meanwhile in the women’s A-grade competition Albany Raiders continued their terrific season, as they notched a 13-point win over Denmark Magpies in round 12. Keely Berry was the key figure for Raiders in the win, hitting a game-high 22 points as Raiders prevailed 43-30. The win lifted Raiders to second on the ladder, percentage ahead of the Magpies and Railways Tigers with all three teams on 26 points. Danielle Carne tried gallantly to get Magpies back into the contest with 14 points. Barking Owls made it 11 wins this season, holding off a determined Tigers outfit by 25 points. Rebecca Benson (14), Berry (15) and Bremner (16) all reached double figures for Owls in the 57-32 result. Brodie Dixon hit two three pointers for the Tigers in her nine points and Hollie Jackman worked hard in the paint for 12 points. In the Sonics derby, Sonics Blue kept their finals hopes alive with a 21-point victory over Sonics Grey. Four triples from Ali Judd (14) and the work of Phoenix Woods (10) were crucial in Sonics Blue storming to a 53-32 result.