ABA 2025-26: Barking Owls set the pace in women’s comp while Sonics Blue men cruise towards an unbeaten season

Having forfeited their game last week, Barking Owls grabbed a one-point advantage over Denmark Magpies in the race to top the Albany Basketball Association women’s A-grade ladder with a win over Railways Tigers on Tuesday evening. The Magpies were held to a surprise draw by Sonics to hand Owls the advantage ahead of their top two showdown next week, the final round of the regular competition. The Owls won 61-33 with Rebecca Benson on fire to grab 19 points, ably assisted by Maddy Graham’s 17 and 12 from Milla Trichilo. Hollie Jackman bust a gut for Railways to claim 19 points in a losing cause. Danielle Carne led the way for the depleted Magpies with 12 points but was trumped by Kaylee Arthur’s 23 for Sonics as the underdogs secured their second draw of the campaign. Trailing by two at the death, Arthur converted two points from the free-throw line to level things up at 39-39. In the men’s A-grade, Sonics Blue continued their march towards an unbeaten season with a 55-45 win over Albany Raiders. Railways Tigers kept hold of second spot in the ladder with a 41-28 victory over Denmark Magpies, while Barking Owls were too good for Sonics Grey and ran out winners 68-44. David Arthur led the way for Blue with 24 points while Mark Elentorio chipped in with 13. The best on the night for the Raiders was Sam O’Toole-Gardner. The win was Blue’s 15th in a row. The five-man Tigers side finished their game in style by bagging the last nine points in a row to confirm their domination over Magpies. Jesse Carman (15) and Kobi Keen (11) were the Tigers’ top scorers, with Kye Griffiths and Jackson Shaw joint best for Magpies with nine apiece. Owls’ Sam Holmes, with 22 points and Harrison Sedgwick, with 15, made sure Grey were dispatched with ease.