ABA 2024-25: Sonics take strong win over Albany Raiders, Barking Owls hand North Albany first loss of season

A slow-starting Sonics bounced back from last week’s loss to North Albany to secure a 35-point win over a spirited Albany Raiders in round three of the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade competition.

The Raiders pushed the reigning premiers early with smart ball movement to find open looks before the Sonics’ traditional full-court press finally worked over their opposition.

Led superbly by last season’s most valuable player Mark Elentorio, Sonics’ active hands on defence and explosive fast breaks were a feature late in the first half of their 67-32 win on Tuesday night.

The Raiders’ determined offence was finally broken in the latter stages of the first half as the Sonics pounded on 19 points in the last 10 minutes of the first period.

Elentorio finished with a game-high 18 points while also throwing jaw-dropping dimes to many of his teammates, including David Arthur (17 points) and Matthew Jerrard (13).

Sam O’Toole-Gardner hit a team-high 10 points for the Raiders and Harry Watters sank two threes.

Barking Owls handed the Kangas their first loss of the campaign with a gripping three-point victory after a second half that was littered with 10 lead changes.

A clutch three from Harry Watters gifted the Owls a crucial three-point lead with just 40 seconds on the clock and helped his side to the stirring 61-58 win.

Hamish McMorran scored a floor-high 21 points for the Owls and James Watters contributed 14, while Harry Watters hit three threes in his 11 points.

Jayden-Paul Devenish scored a team-high 16 points for the Kangas, while Ethan Richards and Beauden East added a vital 12 points each.

In the final match of the night, Denmark Magpies eased past Ambassadors with a resounding 51-30 victory.

Magpies’ Luke Wilson scored 12 points before being fouled out and athletic guard Kye Griffiths contributed 10.

Ambassadors’ Jesse Carman hit two threes in his 15 points and Caleb Carman (12 points) sank two from the perimeter.