By Yvonne Yap/Red Sports. Pictures by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.
The SAS students cheering as the Slingers were introduced. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sunday, November 1, 2009 – 40 Singapore American School (SAS) students were present at the Singapore Slingers’ game against Indonesian side Satria Muda BritAma and got to witness the Slingers’ fourth straight victory in the ASEAN Basketball League.
The students got the treat as part of a birthday present for Natalie Weinrauch, who turned 10 the previous week. The 10-year-old girl requested to watch the Slingers in action and invited her friends, who were mainly from the school basketball team Fastbreak, to join in the celebrations.
Natalie revealed, “I wanted to watch the Slingers and asked for this as a birthday present!”
“I expected her to ask for such a present,” shared Natalie’s father, who purchased the tickets for her friends. He lets on that Natalie likes to treat her friends and go out together with them, a testimony to her bubbly personality.
Two of her friends, Caleigh Johnson and Madison Patrick, also sang “What Time Is It” from the Disney movie High School Musical during the half-time break and won tickets to the upcoming High School Musical performance at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
10-year-old Caleigh exclaimed, “We’re here to support the Slingers! Kyle Jeffers!” Kyle Jeffers was a hit with the SAS kids as they cheered vociferously whenever he scored for the Slingers or managed to catch a rebound.
“I have been playing basketball for 8 years, and I like everything about the game,” Caleigh shared. The point guard for the SAS Fastbreak team has spent the past four years in Singapore and has played against both local and international school teams.
Having been to basketball games in both the States and Singapore, some of the SAS students compared the atmosphere. Commented 11-year-old Kaeleigh, “There’s a lot more people [in the US] and they’re really excited.”
Agreeing, Caleigh added, “It’s a bigger stadium [than Singapore Indoor Stadium] and it’s more packed.”
They would go crazy each time the cameras were pointed at them. (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
A student from the Singapore American School holding up a “We love Jeffers” sign. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Birthday girl Natalie Weinrauch gets a picture with her favourite Slinger, Kyle Jeffers. (Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
The first time a Singapore flag was glimpsed amongst the crowd. (Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
A Slingers supporter holding up a “GO SLINGERS” sign. (Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Slinger fan Gordon Loh reacting to his team’s exploits on the court. (Photo 7 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Irene Ang posing with Al Vergara of the Singapore Slingers during the post-game autograph session. (Photo 8 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Caleigh Johnson and Madison Patrick sing "What Time Is It" from High School Musical during the half-time break. The 10-year-olds won tickets to the upcoming High School Musical performance in December. (Photo 9 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
“I’m excited,” shared Eliza L’Heureux when asked how she felt being up close with Kyle Jeffers. The 10-year-old girl brought her basketball to the game and went home with a memento – an autograph from Kyle Jeffers. (Photo 10 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Great story from off the court.
wow, the girl is 10 and she played for EIGHT years!!
Wow, my students were cheering toooo….
@jan LOL @yvonne That’s a student who came along with Gabriel. Those guys always get scolded by Alvin for not cheering/opening their mouth
@Gordon Hah, the red guy on the left seems to be amazed by you O.O
@Gordon – The photo we’ve all been waiting for, wink.
Oh my… @Photo 7. *Face-palm*