Story by REDintern Stefanus Ian. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

A division girls bball final HCI vs RI

Amelia Lee (HCI #10) catching the rebound. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Toa Payoh Stadium, Friday, May 20, 2011 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) beat Raffles Institution 54-50 in overtime to win the National A Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.

The HCI girls were emotional when the final buzzer sounded when they finally won the match in overtime against a very strong Raffles Institution (RI) team that ran out of steam down the stretch. Leading by as many as six points during the game, RI could not close out the game as HCI mounted a late, late comeback to win the match by four points.

RI relied on their quick transition offense and were always looking to get a high percentage shot from inside the paint. With HCI playing tough defense down low, RI managed to get to the line a few times. HCI started the game in style scoring a three pointer to put up their first points on the board. However, after six points, they hit a snag, giving away offensive rebounds and second chance points. In one instance, the defending champions allowed RI three consecutive offensive rebounds before RI finally convert. The quarter ended with the Rafflesians trailing 13-15.

The second quarter saw RI matching HCI point for point to keep the gap the same all the way to half time. RI’s offense seemed a little bit rushed and turnovers were beginning to pile up. However, HCI were unable to capitalize on this.

Hannah Ng (RI #4) stepped up her game, scoring half of her team’s points in the second quarter. She was RI’s main play maker and scorer, chalking up eight points in the first half. With her scoring capabilities and court vision, she set up her teammates for open looks as HCI players double-teamed her. Alanna Lim (RI #10) also made her presence felt with more than a couple blocks. RI trailed 21-23 at the end of the first half.

After the break, it was Alanna’s turn to take the lead, scoring eight points in the third quarter alone as RI pulled away slowly. Hannah started the quarter brightly by scoring a difficult lay up inside the paint despite a defender’s hand in her face for RI’s first points in the second half.

HCI struggled in the opening minutes of the third, managing just five points in the first five minutes. Their usually dependable post game was missing and they were only able to stay in the game through their clutch shooting with Michelle Tsen’s (HCI #4) three-pointer crucial even as RI slowly forged ahead.

RI stepped up their defensive game, forcing HCI to earn their points from the charity stripe from which the girls in red struggled to convert. HCI looked shaken as they lost their lead for the first time in the game. With 3:27 on the clock, Hannah continued her stellar performance with a fast break finger roll after she had stolen the ball from HCI to put the contenders up by six, forcing a timeout by HCI.

RI increased the pace of the game but that led to a few rushed possessions which led to turnovers. It turned out that there was a reason behind this as Hannah’s injured left knee, which was taped for the game, was beginning to slow her down and RI were hoping to put the result beyond doubt before they had to make any tactical changes. After a while, it was noticeable that Hannah was not moving as well as she was in the first half and this spelled trouble for RI.

RI ended the third quarter with a slender five-point lead. With the score so close, a photo finish looked to be in store and true enough, the two teams did not disappoint. HCI came out in the final 10 minutes eager to show just why they were the defending champions as they blitzed RI to score five unanswered points.

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