Chua Chu Kang Primary retain national basketball championship with win over Kheng Cheng

By Ian Chew

Jurong East Sports Complex, Tuesday, April 28, 2009 – Most may not have noticed, but in the midst of the hustle and bustle of inter-school A, B and C Division competitions, the primary schools scene is alive and kicking as well.

Having to battle through the qualifying rounds in exactly the same way as their senior counterparts in the older divisions, the primary school basketball teams started their long campaigns back in January this year.

Eventually, the two teams left standing in the senior boys category provided the crowds with much excitement.

Chua Chu Kang Primary started the match with their characteristic fast tempo offense, stunning their opponents Kheng Cheng Primary with a 21-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. Chua Chu Kang had lost their earlier game against Kheng Cheng in the qualifying rounds.

To prove that their first-quarter lead was no fluke, the second Chua Chu Kang roster came off the bench in the second quarter to extend their lead to 39-22 by the end of the first half.

Kheng Cheng though, were not done with the match. Led by their livewire point guard #8, Kheng Cheng clawed back some points in the third.

Chua Chu Kang also did not help themselves with a deliberate tactical switch, slowing down their build up in attack. This resulted in a disruption to their offensive flow to some extent and enabled their Kheng Cheng opponents to close the gap to 35-49 at the end of the third.

Encouraged by their comeback, Kheng Cheng Primary then went for broke in the fourth quarter with a full court man-to-man defensive pressure. Forward #14 of Kheng Cheng also starred for his team with six straight points to close the gap to 11 at one stage.

However, the risky defensive strategy opened up gaps at the back which the nimble Chua Chu Kang players were only too glad to exploit. Showing off their quickness and good team understanding, the Chua Chu Kang guards #5, #7 and #9, ran the fast tiring Kheng Cheng defense ragged with breakaway baskets.

Chua Chu Kang deservedly won the game and the boys title 63-49 to add to their girls national title, which they had also clinched on the same day.

Attributing his team’s win to a visible improvement over the past few weeks, Mr Ong Yam Huat of Chua Chu Kang Primary revealed his unorthodox methods in motivating his team.

“I challenged my team before the game with my expectation that they had a lesser chance of winning the national title compared to their opponents. I had hoped that they would respond by proving me wrong and I’m glad they did!” he said.

He also singled out point guard #15 for special praise.

“Ever since he stepped up in leadership for the team, his influence has been crucial in helping them improve in their performance.”

Kranji Primary also made it a day to remember for their school when they clinched both their junior boys’ and girls’ national titles, albeit in contrasting fashion. Their senior girls had edged out Telok Kurau Pri 49-48 while their junior boys crushed their opponents 63-19.

Scoring by Quarters
1st Quarter: Chua Chu Kang 21 Kheng Cheng 11
2nd Quarter: Chua Chu Kang 18 Kheng Cheng 11
3rd Quarter: Chua Chu Kang 10 Kheng Cheng 13
4th Quarter: Chua Chu Kang 14 Kheng Cheng 14

Top Scorers for the game:
Chua Chu Kang #15 – 18 points
Kheng Cheng #14 – 18 points
Chua Chu Kang #9 – 13 points
Chua Chu Kang #7 – 11 points
Kheng Cheng #8 – 10 points

Access these links for more results of the primary school senior and junior qualifying matches.

View exciting second quarter highlights of the senior boys’ final game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjgBkH1_jQ0

View exciting fourth quarter highlights of the senior boys’ final game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0QTha5DlE