Catholic High Beat Woodlands Ring 84-41

BASKETBALL

National ‘B’ Division Boys Quarter-Final
Catholic High School vs Woodlands Ring Secondary School
Tuesday, April 10 2007 at Clementi Sports Hall

The following match report has been kindly contributed by Mr Ian Chew, and the pictures by our photographer, Daniel Tham. Big thanks, guys!

Woodlands Ring’s no.6 drives into the lane amidst the crowding Catholic High defense for a lay-up. © Daniel Tham

One tactic Catholic High used to their advantage time and time again was to go to their centre when the game was getting tensed. And it worked. Khaw Yeong Wooi, No 12 and center of the Catholic High basketball team scored 23 points, including being 100 per cent at the free throw line to lead his team to an 84-41 victory. The team played Woodlands Ring Secondary at a National Schools quarterfinal match on 11 April (Tue) at the Clementi Sports Hall.

The game was much closed than the scoreline suggested, however. Woodlands Ring started the match with more spirit and determination and led from the start. Impressive was Weiyao No 7 and Woodlands Ring No 9. They kept the scores close and were only trailing 14-16 at the first quarter.

In the second quarter, No 10 of Woodlands Ring Sec took over and scored 4 points and led the team to a creditable 13 points in that quarter. Catholic High, on the other hand, made numerous turnovers and was only kept in the game by the long range sharp shooting of guards Shawn Lim No 9 and James Hong No 6. The half ended with Catholic High leading by 3 points with the scores at 30-27.

Catholic High’s no.8 runs after a loose ball. © Daniel Tham

After a rousing team talk at half time, Catholic High emerged from the break with a renewed purpose and game strategy – feed the ball to center Yeong Wooi. Woodlands Ring Sec could hardly respond as he single-handedly blitzed the team with 12 points. Their cause was not helped when their centre No 13 committed his third foul and had to play more carefully after that. Catholic High opened up a 59-35 lead after 3 quarters.

The fourth quarter was basically academic as both teams rested their regular players with an eye towards the upcoming quarter final group matches. Catholic High eventually won 84-41.

Catholic High’s no.12 Khaw Yeong Wooi has no trouble reaching for the basket at 1.95m tall. He topped the scoring in his team with 23 points. © Daniel Tham

Chester Leow, captain of the Catholic High basketball team commented later, “We started the game badly but thankfully, recovered in the third quarter. We definitely need to up our intensity for the next few games.”