Catholic High pips Yuying Sec in T-Net Cup thriller

Story and photos by Ian Chew/Red Sports

Centre Bryan Koh (#6, in black) put in a man-of-the-match performance with 22 points to help his team to a slim victory. (Photo 1 © Ian Chew)

CCAB, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 – A last gasp 3-pointer off the glass by Catholic High centre Justin Lee ensured that his team took home the spoils in a thrilling second round group match against fellow South Zoner’s Yuying Sec. The team in white had led most of the game but eventually succumbed in the fourth quarter 50-53 after Justin’s heroics.

Catholic High looked truly down and out when they trailed 41-46 in the final quarter with two key players fouled out. However, centre Bryan Koh sparked a 12-4 run in the final few minutes with 7 points to lead his team to victory. They were aided by a Yuying Sec team which failed to convert their free throw opportunities late in the game.

The game was keenly contested from the start, with Yuying jumping to an early lead. Yuying’s centres were able to crash the board for offensive rebounds, which was the telling difference. They eventually converted seven free throws to lead 11-5 after one quarter.

Catholic High managed to mount a comeback in the second quarter, narrowing the score to 24-25 at the end of the first half. Their inability to secure their defensive rebounds, however, allowed the Yuying players to put in another six free throws to maintain their lead.

In the second half, Catholic High mounted a man-to-man full court defense which worked well to secure their first lead in the game at 35-34 by the end of the third quarter.

Their aggressive defense soon took its toll in the fourth, however. Yuying’s coach wisely instructed his players to exploit the huge gaps left in Catholic High’s backcourt as a result of their full court defense. Yuying’s speedy forwards then outsprinted the fast tiring Catholic High defenders to establish a huge five point 46-41 lead.

Catholic High did not give up though. They worked to chip away the lead and were rewarded when Justin scored his only basket at the final minute. Bryan then put on the finishing touches in the final seconds with a timely interception and lay up for a hard fought victory.

Catholic High will next face the loser of the Unity Sec vs Anglican High match on Friday at 3.30pm at Singapore Basketball Centre, assuming that RI pulls off an expected victory tomorrow against Yuying. Anglican High earlier cruised to a 59-40 win over Dunman Sec to set a mouth watering clash with Unity Sec. Both teams will play at CCAB at 11am on Thursday 19 June.

All the latest results and fixtures are now available.

Bryan’s good free throw shooting performance was an otherwise bright spark in a dismal free throw showing by the rest of his team. (Photo 2 © Ian Chew)

Both teams were determined to win the match and played with aggression. This resulted in a foul-littered match with two players from each side fouling out. (Photo 3 © Ian Chew)

In a match which could have gone either way, Catholic High secured victory with Justin’s fortituous 3-pointer. The score here was seen tied at 48 all with slightly more than a minute to go. (Photo 5 © Ian Chew)