Roundup of day 1 national basketball quarter-final action

Story and pictures contributed by reader Ian Chew

SCGS’s Sara Choong (#11, white) leading the way in her team’s win over CCH (Main) girls with an energetic display. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, 4 April 2008 – Singapore Chinese Girls’ School nearly let slip a nine-point lead in the final minute of the last quarter when they some allowed Chung Cheng High (Main) girls to score six points in succession. Having led comfortably most of the way, they were stunned by a furious rally by Chung Cheng, led by their #6. Although they eventually hung on for the win, SCGS could rue losing what could have been a greater point margin advantage in an ultra competitive girls Group X qualifying match.

In the other Group X game, group favorite Nanyang Girls’ High beat Yuying Secondary comfortably. Yuying could find little space past the tight Nanyang defense and failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way.

In a subsequent Group Y boys quarter-final match, a highly-anticipated battle between Woodlands Ring and Gan Eng Seng failed to provide the spark as Woodlands Ring led all the way in an easy 56-37 win.

A surprisingly lethargic Gan Eng Seng team failed to turn up in the first quarter and Woodlands Ring forwards #7 and #9 gleefully took the chance to run riot with fast break points. They both accounted for 21 points of Woodlands Ring’s 23-4 trouncing of Gan Eng Seng in the first quarter alone! Though Gan Eng Seng attempted to close the gap throughout the rest of the game, it proved too much to close. Gan Eng Seng’s next matches against Catholic High and Chung Cheng High (Main) are now crucial to their qualifying hopes.

Instead, it was left to Catholic High and Chung Cheng High (Main) to provide what was the most entertaining and highest scoring match of the day. Chung Cheng High’s skilful forward Colin Chou led his team in a starring 28-point effort against the defending champions. But it was not enough as Catholic High, led by captain Jabez Su’s 26-point production, replied with a balanced offensive output to outscore the Chung Cheng boys 91-83.

In earlier group qualifying matches, both Jurong Secondary and New Town Secondary emerged unscathed in the aftermath of gruelling Group X matches by winning their games against Seng Kang Secondary 60-50 and Anglican High 67-45 respectively. Both West Zone teams will face each other for the third time in this season’s championship next Wednesday. Jurong, however, will hold the psychological advantage of having won their previous two matchups, the last one coming at the West Zone final.

The next matches will be played on Monday, April 7, at Singapore Basketball Centre, with New Town boys against Seng Kang in an intriguing matchup. Highly fancied Seng Kang will be looking to rescue their season after their first loss against Jurong.

SCGS’ vice captain Sara Choong, impeccable in her ball control skills, drives past her opponent easily. (Photo © Ian Chew)

No way through! Chung Cheng High’s (in black) determined comeback effort against SCGS fell short in the final quarter. (Photo © Ian Chew)

The Nanyang girls (in white), put on a sterling defensive performance to win against Yuying. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Woodlands Ring’s #14 contributed 4 points to his team’s 56-37 win. Teammates #9, #10 and #7 led the Woodlands Ring team with 18 points, 17 points and 15 points respectively. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Gan Eng Seng’s #12 trying in vain to spark his team’s comeback. He scored 2 points. Gan Eng Seng was led by point guard Ng Zhaofeng’s (#9) 13 points and #7’s 11 points. (Photo © Ian Chew)