By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
Olivia Lee of Unity (right) and Jezelyn of Assumption English School (AES) both reach for a rebound. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, March 4, 2010 – Unity Secondary led from start to finish as they swept Assumption English School (AES) aside 91-60 to qualify for the West Zone B Division girls' Basketball Championship final.
AES’ Janice (#11) led the scoring with 36 points, more than half of her side's points, but it was not enough to stop an all-rounded Unity offense where Diane Seow (17 points), Au Li Jun (16) and Janice Ong (16) starred for their team.
"Initially, we knew what to expect from AES because we know that their #11 was their main threat," said Siti Amnah Senen, Unity's captain. "We had one person to follow her around all the time. #13 (Elsa Deui Handika), #8 (Jessie Foo) and #10 (Janice Ong) did that and they were quite successful."
Unity never looked threatened from the get-go as they raced to a 9-0 lead and limited AES from scoring in the first four minutes. By then, Unity were already settled and their full-court press forced AES into many careless turnovers, resulting in easy points for Unity.
AES ended the quarter on a 7-0 run, but they were already trailing 9-19 by the end of the first.
Much of the same followed in the second quarter with Unity running rings around their opponents. AES scored only seven points while Unity effectively ended the match as a contest, scoring 24 points to establish a 43-16 lead at the half.
Unity were able to establish a 40-point lead in the third quarter, before AES got into their groove and began to put points on the board. Although they were trailing 36-72 going into the fourth quarter, they managed to take the fourth quarter 24-19. However, the lead was too much to overhaul and Unity easily wrapped up the match 91-60.
"I think we are quite satisfied after today's game as we were aiming to play in next Thursday's final," beamed Unity’s Amnah after the match. "We were a bit complacent during the final quarter, but by then, I think they kind of gave up. The [AES] #11 was the only player that kept going."
Unity will play in the final on Thursday, March 11, 2010 against Jurong West Secondary at Jurong East Stadium. Jurong West beat Jurong Secondary in the other semi-final.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
Unity vs Assumption English
1st Q: 19-9
2nd Q: 24-7
3rd Q: 29-20
4th Q: 19-24
Top Scorers
Unity
Diane Seow (#10) - 17 points
Janice Ong (#9) - 16 points (1 x 3-pointer)
Au Li Jun (#14) – 16 points
Assumption English
Janice (#11) - 36 points (4 x 3-pointer)
Janice Ong of Unity goes past Jezelyn for a layup. Janice did well for her team today, scoring 16 points. (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Unity’s Diane Seow drives to the basketball for two in the first quarter. She was the top scorer for Unity with 17 points and her captain pointed her out as one of the key players for the team. (Photo 3 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Point guard Olivia Lee was also highlighted by her captain as one of the key players in the game. (Photo 4 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Assumption’s Janice attempts to go past Ramona Wong. Although she scored a massive 36 points, it was not enough to inspire her team to victory. (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
For more photos from the game, go to the GALLERY
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