By REDintern Lim Yu-Han
Wong Zhong Han (Presbyterian #10) finds space for a drive with a screen from Nigel (Presbyterian #15). Zhong Han recorded a game-high 21 points in his team’s victory. (Photo 1 © REDintern Lim Yong Teck)
Clementi Sports Hall, Wednesday, March 27, 2013 — Presbyterian High School faced off against Dunman Secondary to win an intense game 63–54 in the first round of the National B Division Basketball Championship.
Presbyterian High put up a brilliant shooting display with 10 three-pointers in the game, with half of them contributed by Kiri Ng (#13) who was also one of the game’s top scorers. Teammate Wong Zhong Han (#10) scored an impressive game-high 21 points.
PHS started off strong with Jonas Tay (#7) scoring a lay-up after securing the tip off. Presbyterian High’s solid full-court press pressured Dunman into making several mispasses and subsequently failing to convert successfully. As a result, Presbyterian High won many turnovers which they capitalised on and went on an 8–0 run with Jonas (#7) scoring three baskets in a row.
The first quarter was a physical one with many collisions. Dunman’s inability to break through Presbyterian High’s wall of defence led to a time-out called by the Dunman coach. After the first time-out, Dunman stepped up their defence to end Presbyterian’s scoring streak with two baskets, but PHS simply answered back with two three-pointers by Zhong Han (#10) and Kiri (#13).
However, Dunman’s efforts in their man-to-man defence paid off, giving Presbyterian High a tough time racing against the 24-second shot clock to attempt their attacks. Buoyed by two consecutive three-pointers from Nasrullah B. Suhairi (#9) followed by Xu Teck Chong (#5) sinking another basket with five seconds left on the clock, Dunman narrowed the deficit to end the quarter trailing PHS by 19–24.
In the second quarter, Nasrullah (#9) gave Dunman the lead by converting a steal right after Presbyterian High’s throw in and pulled his team level at 24–24 with a successful three. With Presbyterian High unsuccessful in dominating their rebounds and carelessly handling fast-breaks, Dunman capitalised on the multiple turnovers and contact fouls to turn the game around to their favour to lead 30–24.
Despite a time-out called by the Presbyterian High coach at five minutes, they were still unable to secure their defensive rebounds. In a twist of events, Dunman now dominated with their defence and Darien Mark (#6) was crucial in contributing to a 16–0 run with his repeated steals and fast-breaks. To Presbyterian High’s relief, Jonas (#7) halted Dunman’s streak by putting in a two. Presbyterian High clawed forward with consecutive three-pointers by Zhong Han (#10) and Kiri (#13) to finish the second quarter trailing Dunman 32–34.
The second half opened without any successful attacks as both teams continued with their tight defence and Presbyterian High still maintaining their full court man-to-man defence. Kiri (#13) ended his team’s inability to penetrate the Dunman fortress with a three-pointer and another layup to bring Presbyterian High back into the lead. The atmosphere was laden with tension as Dunman led by only one point, 41–40, with barely a minute left in the third quarter. Dunman could not widen the deficit as Gibson (#8) missed his free throws after drawing an intentional foul in the last minute.
The final quarter was a thrill for Presbyterian High as Zhong Han’s stellar play stole the show, with 15 of his game-high 21 points coming from the final quarter alone.
The quarter kicked off with beautiful teamwork executed by the trio of Kiri (#13), Zhong Han (#10) and Jonas (#7), to bring Presbyterian High back into the lead. However, this did not last long as Dunman bit on tightly to come back 51–50. With three minutes left, Nigel Ng (#15) of Presbyterian High sunk in one of his free throws to level the score at 51–51. Dunman’s Nasrullah (#9) responded with a three-pointer after a time-out, only to see Zhong Han (#10) put in another two to close the score to reduce Dunman’s lead to just one at 53-54.
Zhong Han (#10) performed incredibly in the next few minutes to change the fate of Presbyterian High. Within the next two minutes, he single-handedly scored nine points with a rapid succession of impressive intercepts, a foul-in and converted fast-breaks, inspiring the Presbyterian High bench to erupt in cheers as they led 62–54.
Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Dunman’s coach called for a time-out with a minute left on the clock. Two more time-outs were called with 51 seconds and 28 seconds remaining, as Presbyterian High simply stalled for time while Dunman were in visible panic.
With only nine seconds left, Zhong Han (#10) destroyed Dunman’s hope of any comeback with his three-pointer, bringing Presbyterian High to a 63–54 victory.
Keith Chua (#5), captain of Presbyterian High, was pleased with the game.
“We put up great defence and we had great teamwork,” said Keith.
Vice-captain Jonas Tay (#7) added: “We were down in the second quarter but we were determined to win the game. There was brilliant chemistry between the players.”
Score by Quarter
Presbyterian High vs Dunman
1st Quarter: 24–19
2nd Quarter: 8–15 (32–34)
3rd Quarter: 8–7 (40–41)
4th Quarter: 23–13 (63–54)
Top Scorers
Presbyterian High
Wong Zhong Han (#10) — 21 points
Kiri Ng Yong Wen (#13) — 17 points
Dunman
Nasrullah B. Suhairi (#9) — 16 points
Ng Jian Shuo Bryan (#12) — 12 points
Presbytarian High Roster
Liau Li Jiang (#4), Keith Chua Song Lin (#5), Tan Ejin (#6), Tay Zhi Kang Jonas (#7), Tng Zhi Cai (#8), Lin Shengxiang (#9), Wong Zhong Han (#10), Lee Wee Jin Dylan (#11), Lim Zhi Cong (#12), Kiri Ng Yong Wen (#13), Abel Lim Han Yang (#14), Ng Huai Xi Nigel (#15)
Dunman Roster
Choo Tin Liang (#4), Xu Teck Chong (#5), Darien Mark Anonuevo (#6), Joshua Alas (#7), Gibson Tay (#8), Nasrullah B. Suhairi (#9), Tan Zhong Kuang Nicholas (#10), Kong Yiroon (#11), Ng Jian Shuo Bryan (#12), Tan Yi Rong (#13), Joel Chua Jun An (#14), Mohamed Yussoff (#15)
2013 National B Division Boys’ Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
More photos next page
Leave A Comment