ABA 2024-25: Sonics power late to win over Denmark, Barking Owls and North Albany clinch A-grade victories

A late surge in the final minute helped Sonics bounce back into the winners’ circle with a nine-point win against Denmark Magpies in the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night.

The reigning premiers went on a match-defining 7-0 run in the final minute of their round five match to power to a 48-39 victory.

Mark Elentorio was at his prolific best with a floor-high 16 points including one three-pointer while Matthew Jerrard converted 14 points.

Luke Wilson was strong under the rim with 14 points and was supported well by fellow forward Jackson Shaw (eight points) and guard Kye Griffiths (six) for the Magpies.

Barking Owls’ star shooters Evan Delbene and Harry Watters were in sublime form in their punishing 52-point win over Albany Raiders.

Watters scored a game-high 28 points behind four baskets from beyond the arc and Delbene netted 22 points as the guards ran riot over the young Raiders side.

Hamish McMorran bullied in the paint on his way to 19 points in the Owls’ destructive 78-26 win.

Khenneth Manolo (10) was the only Raiders player to reach double figures while Eli Eaton contributed nine.

In the final match for round five, a complete team performance helped North Albany ease to a 15-point win over Ambassadors.

The Kangas found numerous scoring options with every player scoring at least six points in the 56-41 win.

Beauden East starred with a team-high 15 points which all came from the perimeter and teammate Jayden-Paul Devenish added 12.

Ambassadors were served best by Caleb Carman who scored a game-high 16 points, and Jesse Carman (12).