By Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Russel (Presbyterian High, #5) and Larry Liew (North Vista, #11) starting the match. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Thursday, March 5, 2009 - Presbyterian High defeated North Vista Secondary 64-52 to emerge as the B Division Boys North Zone basketball champions.

North Vista had the early initiative, putting pressure on Presbyterian High. They kept possession and stole many balls to prevent Presbyterian High from scoring.

However Presbyterian High put up a fight and held a slight 13-9 lead over North Vista by the end of the first quarter.

Presbyterian High stepped up pressure in the second quarter and extended the lead with help from key players Russel (PHS, #5) and Yao Ming (PHS, #8). They contributed four points and nine points respectively.

But North Vista had Larry Liew (NV, #11) and Gabriel Tan (NV, #9) to give a strong reply and they fought to within five points of Presbyterian High at 23-28 at the end of the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Presbyterian High surged ahead to increase the lead as North Vista came up against a tough Prebyterian High defense that gave them little chance of scoring.

However a three-pointer by Bryan Lau (NV, #8) saw North Vista level with Presbyterian High at 34-34. But that proved brief. Moments later, Presbyterian High responded swiftly by adding more points to the board.

North Vista went into the fourth quarter nine points behind Presbyterian at 39-48. Larry Liew’s (NV, #11) contribution of 10 points in the last quarter wasn’t enough to change the course of the game for North Vista and Prebtyerian High took the crown with a 64-52 victory.

Match Statistics by Quarter
North Vista – Presbyterian High
Q1: 9-13
Q2: 23-28
Q3: 39-48
Q4: 52-64

Scorers
North Vista:
Larry Liew (#11) - 20 points
Gabriel Tan (#9) - 11 points
Bryan Lau (#8) - 6 points
Qiu Zhen (#5) - 4 points
Jeric Lim (#14) - 4 points
Kian Hao (#7) - 2 points
Jin Hui (#12) - 2 points

Presbyterian High:
Russel Low (#5) – 24 points
Yao Ming (#8) – 18 points
Bing Yao (#6) – 9 points
Steven (#13) – 7 points
Jonathan (#7) – 4 points
Jun Jie (#11) – 2 points

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Both teams shaking hands before the match. (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Jin Hui (NV, #12) aims and shoots as Steven (PHS, #13) tries to defend. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Larry Liew (NV, #11) manages to get the ball before it goes out. (Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Bing Yao (#6) aims and tries to shoot as he is surrounded by North Vista defenders. (Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Jin Hui (NV, #12) getting blocked by Yao Ming (PHS, #8). (Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Bing Yao (PHS, #6) reaches the ball before Bryan Lau (NV, #8). (Photo 7 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Russel (PHS, #5) looking for a way past the defense. (Photo 8 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Russel (PHS, #5) catching a rebound. (Photo 9 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

Jia Hui (PHS, #15) trying to prevent Larry Liew (NV, #11) from passing. (Photo 10 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

“Jia You!” (Photo 11 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Presbyterian High defeat North Vista to become North Zone B Division champions.

The crowds of supporters from both schools that turned out for the match. (Photo 12 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

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