North Vista beat Dunman to win first-ever National C Division boys’ basketball crown

By REDintern Ethan Lou. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Delta Sports Hall, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 — North Vista Secondary beat Dunman Secondary 50-47 to win their first-ever National C Division Basketball Championship title.

North Vista’s Myron Lim also also clinched the coveted Most Valued Player (MVP) award.

“I feel good. They gave us a tough fight. But we still won,” said Myron.

By the 7th minute, Dunman were leading 10-4 but with 42 seconds left, a Kwan Jian Fu three-pointed by pulled North Vista to within three points. However, Dunman’s Bryan Ng scored his second basket of the game for his team to walk off leading 12-7.

By the 3rd minute of the second period, the score was tied at 12-12. Although Alistier Tay gave Dunman a 14-12 lead with a basket, North Vista’s Myron Lim put together a five-point scoring streak, including one three-pointer to give his school a 17-14 lead.

Another North Vista three-pointer, this time by pint-sized North Vista forward, Kwan Jian Fu, saw them stretch their lead to 22-15. North Vista led 26-19 at the half.

A 10-4 run established a 13-point North Vista lead. With a bit more than a minute left in the quarter, Dunman’s Khairul Ridzuan and North Vista’s Kwan Jian Fu treated spectators to two three-pointers in quick succession before North Vista finished off the third leading by 10 points at 42-32.

Two field goals by Myron Lim gave North Vista a seemingly comfortable 13-point lead again, this time at 46-33, but Dunman came back fighting.

The East Zone school put together four baskets in three minutes, including two three pointers by Muhammad Ryhan, and suddenly, it was a three-point game, with Dunman trailing 43-46.

Dunman’s coach, Mr Soh Kee San, then called a timeout, no doubt to tell his team that victory was definitely within their grasp. A minute after restart, Khairul Ridzuan of Dunman scored two free throws, and Dunman trailed by one at 45-46.

With Delta Sports Hall bursting with intensity, Myron Lim scored a three-pointer with a Chua Yi Heng assist to give his team some breathing room at 49-45.

Dunman’s Khairul Ridzuan attempted a three-pointer but it missed the hoop by a large margin. A foul gave Myron Lim a free throw opportunity and the big centre made it a 50-45 game and Dunman needed a field goal and a three-pointer just to draw level with slightly more than a minute left in the game.

Dunman made a herculean effort, wresting control of the ball from North Vista several times, but when they had a shot, they fumbled and failed to score.

Dunman’s Muhammad Ryhan then took a three-pointer but it bounced off the rim, leaving Ryhan’s face contorted in frustration.

Dunman then sank two free throws, but it was not enough to stop North Vista winning the game, and the national title, 50-47.

Despite the win, however, North Vista coach Mr Ong Yao Kwang felt that they could have done much better.

“Basically I don’t think they did very well today. During the first half, they were nervous because this first time they play in the final,” said coach Ong.

On MVP Myron Lim, coach Ong said: “He just did what he was supposed to do. I think he can do better.” Coach Ong expressed high hopes of Myron’s potential.

Referring to Dunman, coach Ong said: “Well, they played well today. It is unexpected (how well Dunman played), but before the game we were quite confident to win the game. They are the underdogs, they had nothing to lose.”

Final Results

North Vista 50 Dunman 47

MVP
Myron Lim (North Vista #11)

Scores by Quarter
North Vista vs Dunman
1st Q: 7-12
2nd Q: 19-7
3rd Q: 16-13
4th Q: 8-15

Top Scorers

North Vista
Myron Lim (#11) – 23 points
Chua Yi Heng (#12) – 8 points

Dunman
Muhammad Ryhan (#11) – 13 points
Alistier Tay (#7) – 12 points

Starting Lineup

North Vista
Kwan Jian Fu (#7), Tan Chee Kim (#8), Kelvin Chu (#9), Myron Lim (#11), Chua Yi Heng (#12)

Dunman
Alistier Tay (#7), Khairul Ridzuan (#9), Muhammad Ryhan (#11), Bryan Ng (#12), Darien Anonuevo (#14)

For more photos, go to next page