By REDintern Rebecca Yip
Clementi Town’s Yi Fan (#12) drives through the Hwa Chong defence. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, July 5, 2012 — Hwa Chong Institution renewed their faint hopes of qualifying for the second round after beating Clementi Town Secondary 31-26, handing the latter their first defeat of the Boys’ C Division West Zone basketball championships.
Hwa Chong came into the match having already lost two of their three games, while Clementi Town had won all their previous three matches. Another loss for Hwa Chong would put them out of the running for a place in the second round.
Knowing that Hwa Chong were going to come out attacking, Clementi Town played a defensive match and relied on counter-attacks to get on the scoreboard. Hwa Chong drew first blood but Clementi Town’s Jason (#14) quickly responded with a lay-up.
Hwa Chong led 9-5 after the first quarter, and stayed ahead throughout the second and third periods. The score stayed stagnant at 13-9 for a majority of the second quarter, as both teams fought hard to get near the basket. Not once did the intensity let-up.
Clementi Town leveled the score 13-13 three minutes into the second half, but three consecutive baskets by Hwa Chong captain Shi Quan (#8) put them ahead as they finished the third quarter with a 19-18 lead.
A three-pointer by Brian (#10) at the onset of the final period put Clementi Town ahead for the first time in the match, but they missed several vital free throws that would have extended their lead. Hwa Chong capitalised on Clementi Town’s lack of accuracy at the charity stripe, and sealed the match with a three-pointer by Chu You (#5) to win 31-26.
Hwa Chong’s captain, Shi Quan (#8), who scored a game-high 14 points, was disappointed with his team’s showing despite their hard-earned win. “We were not focused enough and failed to do what we sought to do, which was to get into the second round of the competition.” Shi Quan said dejectedly.
On the other hand, Clementi Town’s vice-captain, Ace (#6), thought his team played well. They were without their captain, Shi Jun (#8), who fractured his leg in their previous match, and Ace thought his team fought hard against a strong opponent.
Clementi Town face New Town next in a top-of-the-table clash on Monday, July 9, while Hwa Chong will play Assumption English School on the same day at 3pm to round up the Group D matches.
Hwa Chong still have a mathematical chance of making it to the second round. They have to beat Assumption English and then hope for Kranji Secondary, who prop up Group D with four losses, to upset Boon Lay. In addition, Hwa Chong also need a New Town victory over Clementi Town.
Score by Quarter
Clementi Town Secondary v Hwa Chong Institution
1st Q: 5-9
2nd Q: 4-4 (9-13)
3rd Q: 9-6 (18-19)
4th Q: 8-12
Final: 26-31
Top Scorers
Clementi Town
Brian (#10) – 9 points
Ace (#6) – 5 points
Hwa Chong
Shi Quan (#8) – 14 points
Preston (#15) – 8 points
Clementi Town Lineup
Alex (#4), Klein (#5), Ace (#6), Wesley (#7), Shi Jun (#8), Billy (#9), Brian (#10), Elvis (#11), Yi Fan (#12), Zhi Yuan (#13), Jason (#14), Bhuvanesh (#15)
Hwa Chong Lineup
Sean (#4), Chu You (#5), Wong Yang (#6), Zhong Yan (#7), Shi Quan (#8), Benjy (#9), An Han (#10), Eden (#11), Brandon (#12), Harn Ern (#13), Yue Han (#14), Preston (#15)
West Zone C Division Basketball Championships – full fixtures and results
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