ABA 2024-25: Sonics title defence still alive and Kangas continue hot streak to book grand final berth

Ambassadors’ dreams of an Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade title have been snuffed out after they were convincingly defeated by a strong Sonics team in Tuesday night’s elimination final. Despite playing the first 10 minutes without a sub, reigning premiers Sonics scratched out an early lead with some rapid fire play ending with points from Riley Robertson. Ambassadors were slow to begin and were feeling the absence of injured star Caleb Carman and they never recovered, losing by 14 points. Sonics remained on target for the rest of the half with a perfect five-for-five free throw ratio, but were outpaced by Ambassadors in scores outside the arc with nine of their 13 points being long-range shots at the 13 minute mark. Ambassadors couldn’t afford the two free throws missed by Max Grimes entering half time as Sonics hit two early three-pointers to stretch their lead to 17. The pressure seemed to get to the Ambassadors in the final minutes as they made only two of nine attempts from three-point range and had no answers for an unstoppable David Arthur who bagged two in two minutes. Strong efforts from Jesse Carman reduced the margin back to 11 points with two minutes on the clock but it was too late to chase, as Sonics progressed with a strong 55-41 win. Robertson found plenty of space at the offensive end to top score with 18 points while Arthur hit three triples in his 13 and Mark Elentorio was busy with 12 points for the winners. Jesse Carman (16 points) and Todd Kniuman (14) were the standouts for Ambassadors as their season ended. North Albany narrowly beat Barking Owls in the qualifying final to book their place in next week’s grand final. The two-point result was decided in the final minutes and extends the Kangas winning streak to seven games. The evenly matched teams were neck and neck the whole game, with the Owls falling only ever a few points behind the Kangas. A Tristan Mackenzie triple got the Owls within one point behind in the dying stages before Calum Dixon replied with one free throw. Aiden Polette was sent to the line for the Owls but hit only one shot and Kobi Keen then hit one free throw to ensure the Kanga’s 47-45 victory and send his side through to the decider. Dixon was electric with 21 points while Ethan Richards (11) and Drew Willcocks were also important for Kangas while Evan Delbene (17) and Harrison Sedgwick (9) made it a close contest for the Owls. The Owls will face off against Sonics in the preliminary final next Tuesday to decide who will meet the Kangas for the trophy.