Story contributed by reader AJCien. Pictures by Tan Huey Ying.
Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Thursday, May 22, 2008 – In an epic battle, Hwa Chong Institution snatched the A Division girls Basketball Championship title from Raffles Junior College in a last-gasp 55-52 fightback against the 2006 champions Raffles Junior College.
Backed by equally raucous crowds from both sides, the game got off to a surprisingly muted start. The HCI girls looked jittery in the early stages, allowing RJC to race off to an 8-2 lead. Having missed four shots in the first two minutes, a spirited fightback ensured that the drama was only just beginning.
Throughout large parts of the match, RJC were firmly in control, although a 3-pointer from HCI late in the quarter did reduce the arrears to 11-15. A cautious beginning for both sides, with HCI let down by poor finishing and RJC reduced to making speculative 3-pointer punts.
HCI did start the second quarter brightly amid a cagey opening that saw more blocks than shots in the first two minutes. It was thus ominous that HCI scored two unanswered shots at that moment to tie at 15-15. This quarter was marked by a series of unforced errors which suggested nerves getting at the players. HCI even ended up taking the lead for a short while, a converted free throw making it 18-17 midway through the quarter. But quickfire counter-attacking by RJC meant that HCI were put on the back foot again. The game went into the first quarter break with RJC leading 25-20.
RJC came out with guns blazing in the third quarter. Two free throws heralded a brilliant run of form that saw the Rafflesians run off into a 32-20 lead. HCI’s cause wasn’t helped by their poor finishing, contrasted against RJC’s lethal finishing by their #13. In a quarter marked by unusual incidents including a power trip of the electronic scoreboard and a ball stuck between the rims caused by HCI, the crowd was treated to brilliant 3-pointer shots by both sides. This resulted in RJC taking a 44-29 lead at the third quarter break, and (so they thought) the title was done and dusted.
But with players being fouled out in a match, HCI were suddenly finding their finishing touches. Free throws bundled with shots caused by Rafflesian fouls allowed HCI to claw back, surely but steadily in the game. From 44-29, the HCI defence restricted the RJC girls to just three points while they scored 13 points against all odds to storm back into contention.
In the last five minutes of the game, Rafflesian ill-discipline returned to haunt them as they protected a precarious 50-43 lead with two of their star players fouled out. Subsequently the match turned physical and RJC’s captain had to limp off after a challenge by HCI players en route to goal. With three minutes left, RJC’s position looked untenable and with their centre following her captain into the sick bay, it was only time before their slender lead crumbled.
Within a minute, HCI were now leading 52-51 with well-converted free throws after a fatigued and depleted Rafflesians let the title slip from their grip, conceding the two shots in the last minute. When the whistle went, the 1,000-strong HCI travelling support were delirious at the 55-52 comeback victory, while the Raffles fans were left to ponder how a final went all too wrong within a quarter.
Ed’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!
i only know after 3 quarters rj leading by 15
A jump ball between RJC’s #8 and Tan Seow Hwee (#11, HCI) (Photo 1 © Tan Huey Ying)
RJC’s #8:jamie chow
RJC players try to stop their HCI opponent from advancing. (Photo 2 © Tan Huey Ying)
RJC #12:natasha goh
RJC’s #5 tries to grab hold of the ball. (Photo 4 © Tan Huey Ying)
RJC’s #5:olivia ng
RJC’s #4 going up for a throw. (Photo 7 © Tan Huey Ying)
RJC’s #4:wen xin
An RJC player advances towards the basket. (Photo 10 © Tan Huey Ying)
RJC player:si hui
regardless of the match report,
good job valerie (captain of RJC) and the rest. 😉
So if anyone has the quarter by quarter score, please post it and I’ll update the story for AJCien.
I thought the score was 55-52 too!
If there are inaccuracies, we can all help each other by just providing the correction.
It is not easy to get all the statistics right in a fast-paced game like basketball.
The only reason why professional basketball write ups are accurate because there is a person just doing stats at each game. At the end of the game, the stats are given to the reporter. All the reporter has to worry about is to concentrate on game highlights.
After the game, he checks back with the stats he is given.
That’s a professional set up.
So since we don’t have this set up, we can all help each other fill in the blanks.
AJC is a very good writer. One of the best writers I’ve seen since I started redsports.sg, so my hat’s off to him or her.
to dragon:
I’m so so so sorry if there are any inaccuracies in the article. it’s no mean feat when I have to operate my videocam to get footage of the match which I intended to post (had my com not kena virus), write a report, get the necessary info and stuff amid a heated atmosphere in the Rafflesian side.
AJCien
dragon, why don’t you send in a report of your own? Maybe one that would better reflect the situation? You send it, we post it. 🙂
hmm this report is exciting yes but it is highly inaccurate.. like u talk abt the lead at the half when it is actually after three quarters.. and the people that u say fouled out were inaccurate and stuff..
rjc #4 is joelynn ng! 5 3 pointers! mad
I thought the score was 55-52 with HCI in a 3 point lead? Hmm.. Let’s wait for more readers to post their comments.
Thanks, I’ve changed the score to reflect your correction, hcistudent.
the final score was 55-53 i think.not 52-51
It wasn’t clear in the original text and so I was just guessing. I’ve changed it to reflect that it was half-time.
Thanks, a.
Not sure if all the details are correct but still a great match report. (: I thought the score was 44-26 at half time, not the 3rd quarter?
woot picture 14 is sweet! nice !
we freaking proud of the girls they did their best against the favourites.
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Fantastic match report, guys. I actually got goosebumps reading this….
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