Story by Zachary Foo/Red Sports. Photos by Laura Lee/Red Sports

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Tee Chai Sim (AJC #15) blocks Johrathon Cheok (HCI #9) from shooting. (Photo 1 © Laura Lee/Red Sports)

Jurong East Sports and Recreation Centre, Monday, May 19, 2014 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) won their ninth consecutive National A Division Boys Basketball Championship with a 56–51 win over Anderson Junior College (AJC). Brian Wong (AJC #7) led all scorers with 13 points, while Dylan Chua (HCI #5) led his team with 10 points.

HCI enjoyed the early advantage on the boards, as Darryl Lee (HCI #13) and Tan Jun (HCI #8) were able to corral most of their misses. Darryl (HCI #13) opened the scoring for his team with a three-pointer from the right wing, sending the HCI supporters into delirium. AJC were paced in scoring by Tee Chai Sim (AJC #15) and Max Ong (AJC #11). Both players combined for 10 points in the period. A buzzer beater by Brian Wong (#7) reduced AJC’s deficit to just two points to end the first quarter.

Both teams matched each other basket for basket in the second quarter. Brian Wong (AJC #7) was making most of his jumpers in the quarter, contributing six points for his team. Darryl Lee (HCI #13) was doing well defensively for HCI, he swatted away three shots in the quarter as well as altering many more. This allowed Hwa Chong some breathing space, as they were unable to get their shots to fall offensively. At half-time, only three points separated both teams.

The third quarter was another back-and-forth affair. Each time HCI threatened to extend the lead, AJC would respond with a run of their own. Tee Chai Sim (AJC #15) was the sole driving force behind AJC’s persistance. His steady ball-handling and defensive ability kept AJC in the game.

In the final quarter, Hwa Chong busted out with an early 6–0 run. This gave them an 11-point lead with four minutes remaining in the game. However, AJC were not out of it. Chai Sim (AJC #15) made three consecutive steals to pull his team back to within five points. However, as he was bringing the ball up after the third steal, he endured a rough foul from an HCI player. This left him out of the game for good and AJC were left to fight back without their key point guard in the final minute of the game. Johrathon Cheok sealed the win with a jumper that beat the shot clock, putting his team up seven with 30 seconds left. HCI were able to close out the 56–51 win, making them champions for the ninth straight time.

HCI captain, Johrathon Cheok (#9), said, “This year was different for us. We trained really hard for this and here we are as champions. There were no regrets. We played our hearts out and made it.”

Scoring by Quarter
Hwa Chong Institution vs Anderson Junior College
1st Quarter: 17–15
2nd Quarter: 15–14 (32–29)
3rd Quarter: 14–12 (46–41)
4th Quarter: 10–10 (56–51)

Top Scorers
HCI
Dylan Chua Yee Kiat (#5) – 10 points
Darryl Lee (#13) – 9 points

AJC
Brian Wong (#7) – 13 points
Han Jun Seo (#5) – 12 points
Tee Chai Sim (#15) – 11 points

HCI Roster
Mitch Lim Yong Tat (#4), Dylan Chua Yee Kiat (#5), Yap Teng Suan (#6), Ng Zheng Qin (#7), Tan Jun (#8), Johrathon Cheok Er Wen (#9), Fan Yiheng (#10), Ong Sze Chuan (#11), Loh Wan Yuan (#12), Lee Yee Kai Darryl (#13), Tan Aik (#14), Yeo Wen Jie (#15)

AJC Roster
Moe Han (#4), Han Jun Seo (#5), Lee Wei Hern Jason (#6), Wong Liang Hao Brian (#7), Sherman Soh Jun Hao (#8), Muhammad Zulhaziq B Azman (#9), Teo Ting Wei Wesley (#10), Ong Ngiap Meng Max (#11), Chong Yih Xuan (#12), Chia Wen Han (#13), Liang Bingxin (#14), Tee Chai Sim (#15)

A Division Boys Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results

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