BASKETBALL

National ‘A’ Division Boys First Round
Nanyang Junior College vs Catholic Junior College
Anderson Junior College vs Anglo-Chinese Junior College
Wednesday, 2 May 2007 at Clementi Sports Hall

The following post-game report and pictures have been contributed by Mr Ian Chew, a teacher from Catholic High School. Thanks, Ian!

CJC make a shot attempt.  © Ian Chew

Nanyang Junior College triumphed 52-46 over Catholic Junior College in a closely fought first round ‘A’ Division basketball match played at Clementi Sports Hall on Wednesday 2 May.

A post-game analysis will show that the Catholic Junior College Boys team lost to Nanyang Junior College Boys team due to a rash of 32 fouls committed resulting in two key CJC players fouling out.

Shaun Neo (no. 14), point guard of Catholic Junior College, agreed.

“Quite a few of our players in the team only started playing competitive basketball in junior college. The frequent fouls we committed are an indication of our lack of experience. However, we are determined to improve for the upcoming matches,” he said.

Yet it began brightly for Catholic JC. They quickly jumped to a 7-3 lead with centre David Hauw (no. 12) dominating the paint for the team. He grabbed some key rebounds and put in the shots from close range to pull his team ahead.

But Nanyang JC were not to be outdone. Clawing their way back, they managed to level the score at 10-10 by the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Nanyang JC’s no. 8 managed a huge block on Catholic JC Shaun’s lay-up to the cheers of their bench. Catholic JC were not to be denied, however, with a put-back from under the basket by their centre David and a 3-point shot by another CJC player. The lead was then extended to 16-10 in Catholic JC’s favour with Ng Si Kai’s (no. 10) free throw midway through the second quarter. Both David and Si Kai were instrumental in this period with their strong rebounding performance as well.

CJC’s Han Xian Yao (no.7) makes a free throw attempt.  © Ian Chew

Nanyang JC replied immediately with a 3-point play by Ling Yee Jin (no. 7), point guard of the Nanyang JC team. Coupled with a steal from Yee Jin late in the quarter, his teammate scored from the fast break to level the scores at 19 apiece to mark the end of the first half.

In the second half, Nanyang JC came out with renewed vigour and jumped to a 5-point lead at 24-19 within a minute of the restart. This came through some poor ball handling and passes by the Catholic JC team. The Nanyang JC team quickly capitalized on these turnovers and converted the subsequent fast breaks. David replied for Catholic JC team with an under-basket shot to close the gap.

The score tied at 25-25, this was the beginning of the string numerous fouls committed Catholic JC team. Despite having a poor team foul shooting record, the Nanyang JC team managed to pull ahead 32-27 by the end of the third quarter.

Another intriguing battle was also developing at the same time between the two no. 12s of both teams. Centre Goh Kay Chuan (no. 12) of the Nanyang JC team had the slight height advantage at 1.98m tall over CJC’s centre David Hauw. David found himself out-rebounded at times and had to commit fouls to stop his opponent from scoring.

In the fourth quarter, Kay Chuan frequently used his height to establish a low-post position and score from some centre moves. This was all the more effective as the key players in the Catholic JC team were in foul trouble and any fouls committed automatically resulted in free throws. They looked to have the game sewn up when they held a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

CJC and NYJC boys in action.  © Ian Chew

Zhen Hao (no. 9) of the Catholic JC team had other ideas, however. He scored a long range 3-point shot to close the gap to 30-37. This began a barrage of 3-point shots from Zhen Hao and Shaun. Their spectacular combined output of five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, however, were not enough to make up for the points gained by NYJC through free throws gained from fouls. CJC’s comeback was made more difficult when David fouled out late in the quarter. The captain of the Catholic JC team, Trent Ng, missed three straight free throws after, letting slip a golden opportunity to close the gap to two points. Nanyang JC held on to win the game 52-46.

A relieved captain Bronson Oh of the Nanyang JC team also lamented his team’s poor free throw shooting in the game.

“We allowed our opponents to stay in the match through our poor free throw shooting as a team. This was the Achilles heel in our previous two matches as well where we lost to Anglo Chinese JC and Anderson JC. We will need to improve on this aspect in the upcoming matches,” he said.

NYJC in a time-out discussion.  © Ian Chew

In the earlier match, Anderson JC beat Anglo-Chinese JC by a massive 77-40 scoreline to keep their qualifying hopes very much alive.

“It’s a very open group with all teams having a somewhat even win-loss record. Any team can qualify based on the results of the next few matches,” commented Marvyn Hoi of the Anglo-Chinese team.

One thing is for sure – the matches will only get more exciting and intense as the teams resume their fight for qualification to the second round!