Catholic High and Raffles Girls’ win South Zone basketball titles

Story and pictures by reader Ian Chew

Hannah Ng (#4, RGS) led her team with 12 points. Yet it was Yuying’s #13 who eventually got the MVP award for girls. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Wednesday, March 5, 2008 – In a comprehensive show of attacking prowess, Catholic High blew past Queenstown Secondary 101-45 to retain the South Zone Championship title. Raffles Girls’ School also did likewise with a comprehensive 82-51 win to snuff out Yuying Secondary’s challenge.

For the boys defending champions, it was all systems go from the start. They raced to a 28-9 first quarter lead and never looked back after that. Using a variety of shots including fast breaks, 3-points shooting, turn-around jumpers and under-basket put-backs, eleven of the twelve registered players managed to get on the score sheet.

Led by forward Jabez Su (#4) who eventually scored 36 points for his team, Catholic High continued to rack up double digit leads in each quarter until the final buzzer. Jabez also received the Most Valuable Player award for his efforts.

In the girls’ final, Raffles used a 29-10 spurt in the third quarter to put the game away.

The game had been close in the first quarter when both teams were neck and neck throughout. However, a key turning point came when a Yuying player got called for her fourth personal foul. Raffles Girls then used their strength in depth to outlast the Yuying team who were also missing a few players through injury.

Hannah Ng (#4, RGS) led her team with 12 points while Yuying’s #7 scored 7 points in the first quarter before missing the rest of the match.

Said Mr James Ong, teacher-in-charge of the Raffles Girls’ team:

“I was most happy about the overall team effort – that all my girls managed to score in the game!”

No stopping Jabez – He top scored with 36 points and garnered the MVP award as well. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Kam Seng (#11, CH) streaking ahead for the lay up at the end of the first quarter. He finished with 12 points. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Centre Ming Xuan (#14) also had an outstanding scoring and rebounding performance, finishing with 17 points. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Lee Qi Ming (#9, CH) attempting a shot, with the game well and truly over. Yet the Queenstown supporters never stopped cheering for their team. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Sathy (#12, CH) scoring the last basket of the game to the jubilation of his supporters! (Photo © Ian Chew)