Presbyterian High overwhelm Chung Cheng High (Yishun) in Round 2 of B Division North Zone basketball

Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, February 27, 2009 - Presbyterian High looked very much a championship team as they overcame Chung Cheng High (Yishun) 61-39 with ease in the B Division North Zone Basketball Championship.

There was much anticipation of the duel between Russel Low (PHS #5) and Wu Qing De (CCHY #13) prior to the match but it was Russel who emerged victorious, contributing 20 points with 10 of them in the second quarter. Qing De managed to add 16 points for Chung Cheng.

It did not take long for Presbyterian High to command a 5-0 run at the start of the game. Kun Yang (CCHY #9) then converted the first 3-pointer of the match to reduce the deficit. But that sparked Presbyterian High to work and pump harder as they broke out for an 8-0 run.

With 3:00 remaining, Chung Cheng High (Yishun) coach called for a timeout to strategize on a plan to stop Yao Ming (PHS #8), possibly the best performer for the day. Yao Ming added 12 huge points in the first quarter to give Presbyterian High a 21-5 lead.

Russel (PHS #5) opened accounts in the second quarter and started to dominate and tower over Qing De (CCHY #13). Chung Cheng simply had no answer to Russel’s brilliance in the paint and the score line stood at 33-8 with 2:43 left to play before the break.

Both sides then sent their reserves to play out the remaining minutes of the second quarter which ended with Presbyterian High leading by 35-11.

After the break, Chung Cheng resumed with their starters while Presbyterian continued to field the reserve team. Qing De (CCHY #13) took advantage of Russel's absence and added 10 points in the third quarter. That helped Chung Cheng to a 10-3 run and the Presbyterian High lead was cut to 17 points.

However, Russel came on half way through the third quarter and made an immediate impact and Presbyterian High completed the third quarter leading 42-27.

Chung Cheng put on a brave front in the fourth quarter but this time it was Yao Ming (PHS #8) that dampened their hearts. He had eight points in the final period and Chung Cheng had no response to his sharp shooting skills.

Alfred Goh (CCHY #5) reduced the Presbyterian High lead to 15 points with a five-point contribution, including a 3-pointer but his team spurned several chances by failing to capitalize on a number of Presbyterian High turnovers.

With this loss, the Chung Cheng finished third in their group and their dream of a semi-final place ended.

Presbyterian High won all their matches and now advance to the semi-finals with confidence against Maris Stella High in the next match on Monday, March 2nd.

Match Statistics:
Scores by quarter
1st Q: CCHY 5 - PHS 21
2nd Q: CCHY 11 - PHS 35
3rd Q: CCHY 27 - PHS 42
4th Q: CCHY 39 - PHS 61

Top scorer
CCHY:
Qing De (#13) - 16 points
Jonathan Teo (#6) - 11 points

PHS:
Russel (#5) - 20 points
Yao Ming (#8) - 20 points