The Barking Owls and Denmark scored big wins in the Albany Basketball Association Girls’ Class A Tournament on Tuesday, pushing the Valkyries to the final buzzer.
The Owls dominated the floor and defeated the Sonics 2, led by Rebecca Benson, who scored a game-high 19 points, including two threes, 54-30.
Benson was the league’s leading scorer, with his 19-point night bringing his season total to 226 points, more than 70 points ahead of second-place finisher Daniel Caln of Denmark.
Keely Berry scored 13 points and Eva Marmion (eight points) hit two triples for the Owls.
For the Sonics 2, Alisha Narkle led the floor with 14 points and one 3-point shot, while Phoenix Woods contributed with 12 points.
With three games remaining in the season, the Owls are in first place ahead of Denmark, who defeated the Albany Raiders 37-21.
Denmark easily defeated the Raiders, winning by 16 points and solidifying their position in second place in the standings.
Kern scored a game-high 15 points, Amy Dominiak (seven points) had three points, and Emma Henderson and Rebecca Goodliffe each had five points.
Dakota Bremner of the Raiders scored a team-high 10 points and worked hard for the team.
The third-place Valkyries secured a crucial four-point win over the Sonics 3, solidifying their place in the top four.
Tayesha Weeden scored a game-high nine points with two triples, and Narelle Humphries, Shanaya Weeden and Enya Marquez each scored four points.
Cian Arthur (9) and Terrika Collins (8) were the mainstays for the Sonics 3, with Tamara Ditchburn making her only 3-point shot of the night.