Aaron Sim (Canberra #9) tries to steal the rebound from Chua Yi Heng (North Vista #6). Aaron had a game-high 16 points. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, March 11, 2013 – North Vista Secondary beat Canberra Secondary 63-43 in the final of the North Zone B Division Basketball Championship. This is North Vista’s second zonal title in a row, and their third in the last four years.
Aaron Sim (#9) of Canberra had a game-high 16 points while Lim Jun Yuan (#5) of North Vista was top scorer for his team with 12.
Canberra started out strongly by being the more aggressive team, converting almost every shot attempted. They ended the first quarter leading 14-9.
However, Canberra’s lead was short-lived as North Vista soon outscored their opponents to lead 23-22 by the middle of the second quarter. Just as Canberra lost their scoring momentum, North Vista found their footing in the game as they controlled the play to their advantage. The second quarter ended with North Vista taking a 30-23 lead.
With the average height of their team at 1.75m, and their tallest player Chua Yi Heng (#6) standing at 1.9m, North Vista were able to defend against most of Canberra’s shots to end the third quarter leading by 17 points (48-31).
Nonetheless, Canberra put up a tough fight with their remarkable fighting spirit and teamwork, making sure that there was always a player to follow up whenever any one of their teammates slipped up.
Meanwhile, North Vista players showed a lot of understanding, never hesitating to make a back-pass or sideways-pass in faith that their teammates would get it. North Vista widened the lead further with a bunch of 3-pointers to win the game by 20 points (63-43).
Myron Lim (#7), captain of North Vista, felt that his team has done well, although they are not at their peak yet.
“Being the defending champions (North Vista had beaten Presbyterian High in 2012), there was pressure to win the game but I am glad that we eventually held up well,” said Myron.
“We lacked confidence and were fearful in the first quarter but our coach told us not to be distracted and to just be calm and play the game. Our opponents gave a tough fight as they were quite good,” added Myron.
In response to their chances in the Nationals, Myron revealed that the team’s goal is to reach top four, and it will be a bonus for them to be in the final of the National Championship.
Captain of the Canberra team, Anthony Tan (#6), felt that his team has put up a good fight.
“We’re not sad or anything, to be here is already a bonus to us,” Anthony said.
“This is the first time we’ve made it here (final) and we got knocked out even before the semis last year because of our points difference in a three-way tie.”
“I think North Vista was more determined to beat us this time round since we beat them (44-43) previously in round 2,” added Anthony, “We have a good coach (ex-national player Hong Wei Jian) who I am confident will be able to lead our juniors well in the years to come.”
Score by Quarter
North Vista vs Canberra
1st Quarter: 9-14
2nd Quarter: 21-9 (30-23)
3rd Quarter: 18-8 (48-31)
4th Quarter: 15-12 (63-43)
Top Scorers
North Vista
Lim Jun Yuan (#5) — 12 points
Chua Yi Heng (#6) — 10 points
Canberra
Sim An Rong Aaron (#9) — 16 points
Gabryl Russel Koh Jun Hon (#7) — 12 points
North Vista Roster
Dorgee Chokka Lama (#4), Lim Jun Yuan (#5), Chua Yi Heng (#6), Myron Lim (#7), Ng Zhong Kang (#8), Kelvin Chu (#9), Solomon Goh (#10), Darrel Teng (#11), Ng Yu Jie (#12), Sim Zhen (#13), Shiek Ridwan (#14), Bryan Ng (#15)
Canberra Roster
Tan Yi Yong (#4), Lee Xuan Yan (#5), Anthony Tan Jun Hong (#6), Gabryl Russel Koh Jun Hon (#7), Lim Teck Leong (#8), Sim An Rong Aaron (#9), Han Zhi Guang (#10), Portugal Brix Behona (#11), Wong Yu Heng Ryan (#12), Leon Sim Tze Hao (#13), Jacky Lim Teck Leng (#14), Chong Wen Xuan (#15)
2013 North Zone B Division Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
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