Gladys Molino (RI #7) releases the ball to score as she is challenged by her HCI opponents. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Friday, May 18, 2012 — Raffles Institution broke a closely fought game open in the third quarter to pull away for a well-deserved 75-47 win over arch rivals Hwa Chong Institution in the final of the National A Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
Raffles’ centre Alanna Lim (#10) starred for her team with a game-high contribution of 18 points, with a high percentage of her scoring achieved in the painted area. None of Hwa Chong’s defenders could effectively contain her once she received the ball near the basket as she proceeded to swivel her way to numerous lay ups.
Her contribution was not just restricted to the offense, however. Her rebounding and blocked shots also succeeded in altering her opponents’ offensive threat, restricting the Hwa Chong girls to attempts from the perimeter.
Yet to attribute her team’s win to her performance alone would not do justice to the roles played by her teammates. Raffles’ intensity in defense forced their opponents to commit costly turnovers, especially in the second half, when the fast tiring Hwa Chong players found it hard to match their efforts in the first half.
In addition, Raffles’ guard Tham Yan Ping (#6) showed a great shooting touch from the perimeter, pouring in 13 points for her team. Raffles guard Gladys Molino (#7) also came off the bench in the second quarter to spark her team with crucial points.
Hwa Chong Institution though, did not give up without a fight.
They had managed to keep the game close up to half-time, in a bid to reverse their earlier second round loss to Raffles. Hwa Chong’s forward Jolie Ng (#9) proved to be the quickest player on the court, scoring 18 points for her team off driving lay ups and fast break points.
Yet Hwa Chong’s lack of depth proved their undoing as they relinquished the title they had held since 2008 as Raffles Institution closed the game strongly with a 21-9 run in the final quarter. This is Raffles’ first girls’ basketball title since 2006.
Score by Quarter
Raffles Institution v Hwa Chong Institution
1st Q: 18-13
2nd Q: 13-12 (31-25)
3rd Q: 23-13 (54-38)
4th Q: 21-9
Final score: 75-47
Top Scorers
Raffles Institution
Alanna Lim (#10) – 19 points
Tham Yan Ping (#6) – 13 points
Gladys Molino (#7) – 12 points
Anna Tay (#9) – 9 points
Adeline Lim (#5) – 8 points
Ivana Low (#8) – 7 points
Cheryl Pay (#4) – 5 points
Hwa Chong Institution
Jolie Ng (#9) — 18 points
Ramona Wong (#14) – 12 points
Tan Yen Yi (#6) – 5 points
Joey Tan (#13) – 5 points
RI Lineup
Cheryl Pay Wei Lin (#4), Lim Jiayu Adeline (#5), Tham Yan Ping (#6), Gladys Marie Lucin Molino (#7), Low Si Wei Ivana (#8), Tay Anna Rowena (#9), Lim Rui Jia Alanna (#10), Georgia May Goh Xin Ying (#11), Iliana Ishak (#12), Wu You (#13), Tay Angie Rowensa (#14), Tang Li Yong (#15)
HCI Lineup
Amber Tan (#4), Sing Qing (#5), Tan Yen Yi (#6), Ooi Li Wen (#7), Pamela Loh (#8), Jolie Ng (#9), Edna Lim (#10), Glenda Yeo (#11), Amanda Choo (#12), Joey Tan (#13), Ramona Wong (#14), Lavinia Choo (#15)
For more photos, go to the next page.
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