Story by REDintern Alan Chiang

Singapore Basketball Centre, Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - The first round group stage of the B Division North Zone Basketball Championship is coming to an end and this is the crucial period where to determine qualification for the next round.

Woodlands Ring Secondary and Chung Cheng High (Yishun) have won Group C and D respectively.

In Group A, Presbyterian High and Maris Stella will square off in their final match on Thursday, February 12 at 2.20pm, for the top spot.

In Group B, it is an even contest between Seng Kang Secondary and Woodgrove Secondary as they will have to face their lower-ranked opponents to determine who will finish as winners of the group.

In Group E, North Vista stands a good chance to seal the top spot if they can overcome Woodlands Secondary in their final match. North Vista have a perfect 4-wins-0-losses record so far. Their match will happen on Thursday, February 12 at 2.20pm.

In B Division girls' basketball, Group X saw Yishun Town hold on to the top spot as they won all five matches while in Group Y, it will be an even contest between Anderson Secondary and Woodgrove Secondary as they compete to finish top of the table. They will fight it out in their final match on Monday, February 16, at 3.30pm.

In other games played yesterday, Nan Chiau High edged Marsiling Secondary 54-29. The first quarter was a tight contest with Nan Chiau High having a slight advantage at 15-14. Marsiling then failed to overcome their opponents and let Nan Chiau High take control of the game.

In the other matches, Woodlands Secondary took on Bowen Secondary with both sides needing a win badly to boost their next qualifying chances. Woodlands Secondary led throughout the game only for Bowen Secondary to come back with a late resurgence midway during the final quarter. But Woodlands held on and won the match 51-46.

In earlier matches, Northbrooks Secondary triumphed over Si Ling Secondary 54-28 while Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary caught Hougang Secondary off guard with a 73-42 win.