Story and pictures contributed by reader Ian Chew

Kranji Pri’s Vikraam (#12, white) with an acrobatic jumpshot attempt. But his team still suffered an agonizing 48-50 loss to Telok Kurau in overtime. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Kranji Primary School, Thursday, April 10, 2008 – Seldom have I witnessed such intense and emotional scenes in an inter-school primary match. But the match between Kranji Pri and Telok Jurau had all the hallmarks of a classic clash of two finely balanced teams where the stakes are high. The winner goes on to almost guarantee themselves a place in the semi finals!

Despite a boisterous home crowd cheering them on, Kranji Primary squandered a one-point 40-39 lead with 3.1 seconds left in regulation time. Their point guard Leong Heng Wei (#8) had passed the ball to teammate Jason Chua (#13), who went on to foul Telok Kurau’s #6 after a missed lay-up. Telok Kurau’s #6 then kept his cool to sink one of two free throw to send the game to overtime.

Shaking off their narrow escape, Telok Kurau came alive in extra time. Ridzuan (#7) was particularly outstanding for his team, scoring 6 points for his team and expertly controlling play to foil Kranji Primary’s efforts to stop his team. Kranji Primary, on the other hand, could not fully capitalize on the opportunities that came their way despite holding a two-point lead at 48-46. Kranji’s Haziq (#9), who had also been outstanding in his play for his team, committed a crucial turnover to concede possession to his opponents. Telok Kurau then scored from the resulting play to take a 50-48 lead and held on for a win.

Asked about the unique fact that Malays make up two-thirds of his basketball team in a sport normally seen as a Chinese preserve, Telok Kurau’s teacher in charge Mark Tay explained, “They may not have the height of the tall Chinese boys (of Chua Chu Kang Pri and Holy Innocents’ High), but they certainly make up for that with their speed. Since we are also a predominantly Malay primary school, it makes sense for us to include the Malays. They can now mix playing basketball with their traditional soccer games!”

In fact, Telok Kurau’s star player Ridzuan confided in me later that he loves basketball more than soccer!

“It was my brother who encouraged me to take up this sport. I have also improved greatly in my dribbling and shooting skills, thanks to our coach and our secondary school seniors who used to study in Telok Kurau Primary. They still come back once or twice a week to help us hone our skills,” he added.

“In fact, I prefer basketball to soccer as I find soccer quite boring!”

Earlier, Chua Chu Kang Primary had cruised to a comfortable 63-45 win over Changkat Pri in the other group quarter final match. Holy Innocent’s High similarly crushed their First Toa Payoh Primary opponents by a 65-33 scoreline.

Kranji Pri’s #6 (white) being fouled hard by Telok Kurau’s #5 (black) on his fast break attempt. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Can Malays excel in basketball, a traditional Chinese sport? You bet! The Telok Kurau Pri team of twelve players, which topped the East Zone, consists of eight Malays. (Photo © Ian Chew)

It was interesting to hear Telok Kurau’s coach Mr Tan Ban Soon belting out instructions in Malay to get his message through to his team! (Photo © Ian Chew)

Kranji Pri’s Haziq (#9) converts some crucial free throws towards the end of normal regulation time. (Photo © Ian Chew)

The Kranji supporters, led by their principal Mr Sam Wong, screaming their lungs out in support of their team. But Telok Kurau still managed to retain their composure for a famous win. Ridzuan later termed the Kranji girls’ screams during his free throw as “irritating”! (Photo © Ian Chew)

Earlier, Chua Chu Kang Pri’s Yves L Remorca (#14) top scored with 14 points to lead his team to a 63-45 win over Changkat Changi Primary. (Photo © Ian Chew)