Story by reader AJCien. Pictures by Tan Huey Ying.

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Chiam Hong Yao (#5, HCI) prepares to shoot while his AJC opponent looks on. (Photo 1 © Tan Huey Ying)

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Thursday, May 22, 2008 – Without a doubt, Hwa Chong Institution proved to be the premier basketball side in the A Division Championship yet again when the boys steamrolled Anderson Junior College 98-76 in the final to complement the hard-fought title win by the HCI girls.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the HCI boys early on. While they showed their class, they were pushed all the way by AJC in a conservative start by both teams. With both teams converting many of their respective chances, AJC gave HCI a scare when they played to a 11-10 lead. But true to form, free-scoring HCI soon regained the lead. As the teams concluded the first quarter 23-20 in HCI’s favour, both teams were playing expansive free-flowing basketball that guaranteed drama afterwards.

As it went, the second quarter was also an exciting affair as HCI got another scare when AJC started well, taking the lead again. But sadly, this was to be the last time the AJC boys led the match. Calvin and Shengyu (who flew all the way back from Shanghai for the final) left no doubt about the class that they both have by giving HCI a 32-28 lead, while Yanming, the AJC captain, dazzled with crucial 3-pointers to maintain touching distance with the giants from Bukit Timah. Solid defending meant that at half-time it was still a closely contested affair; 42-38 in favour of HCI at the break.

AJC tried to rally in the second half, but the gulf was just too great as HCI demonstrated their superior finishing. With AJC restricted to three shots in contrast to HCI’s seven, the latter now started to pull away from the AJC team. It didn’t help that the AJC team was increasingly conceding free throws which is as good as handing out goodies to HCI. And with AJC’s physical approach to defence not working, HCI started dispatching free throws in addition to their successful shots. Even when AJC rallied with two 3-pointers, it was clear that their long-ball approach was not delivering the goods. The speedier HCI players wreaked havoc on the AJC defence while tempting to force them to commit more fouls. By the end of the quarter, HCI had scored 26 points, giving them a 68-54 lead. It soon became clear who the winner was going to be.

Yan Ming tried to rally his team, and he did, but only just. At 68-59, it seemed as if there might be a dramatic end. But free-scoring HCI added more shots to their tally, and with AJC struggling to keep pace, there was to be no spirited comeback for them. HCI glided past the 80-point mark within the quarter, and it was 90 soon after. As tensions frayed, AJC started conceding more free throws to HCI. Straggling past the 70-point mark with only three minutes left on the clock, AJC scored five more to bring the score to 76-97, although a late free-throw drama just before the final whistle resulted in the last shot by HCI, bringing them the championship with a 98-76 win.

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Hong Yao (#5, HCI) attempts to bulldoze his way through the AJC defense. (Photo 2 © Tan Huey Ying)
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A spectacular layup by Poon Chonglin (#12, HCI). (Photo 3 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Lim Shengyu (#13, HCI) tries to go past AJC’s Wei Xian (#9, AJC). (Photo 4 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Lee Zhishu (#14, AJC) slaps the ball away. (Photo 5 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Yap Ching Poh (Ah Bao) of HCI breaking through the AJC defense. (Photo 6 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Players from both sides jostle under the basket. (Photo 7 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Sheng Yu (#13, HCI) goes past Samuel Chng (#8, AJC) for the basket. (Photo 8 © Tan Huey Ying)
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An AJC player takes a shot amidst the tight HCI defense. (Photo 9 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Zhishu (#14, AJC) plucks the ball out of the air away from his HCI opponent. (Photo 10 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Players from both sides try to get their hands on the ball. (Photo 11 © Tan Huey Ying)
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Champions! Captain Calvin Chia of HCI holds up the trophy for all to see. (Photo 12 © Tan Huey Ying)

Ed’s note: If you recognise yourself or your teammates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind and we will update the captions accordingly.