Story By REDintern Jiexin Neo. Photos by REDintern Laura Lee and Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports
Nur Adlina (Dunman #14) and Siti Nur Azmina (Ngee Ann #15) fight for possession of the ball. (Photo 1 © REDintern Laura Lee)
Anglican High School, Monday, February 24, 2014 — Dunman Secondary led from the first quarter to defeat Ngee Ann Secondary 65–36 to secure a spot in the East Zone B Division Girls Basketball Championship final.
Dunman have defeated all the teams that they have met so far in the East Zone Championship.
Putri Nur Syazwani (Dunman #15) and Har Hui Yin (Ngee Ann #7) both put up a game-high 17 points each.
The jump ball was tipped over to the Ngee Ann side, where Har Hui Yin (#7) got the ball and drove straight to the basket for an easy two points. Dunman scored on the next transition to level at 2–2. Following that, Siti Nur Azmina (Ngee Ann #15) secured the defensive board to kick off the fast break, passing the ball to Hui Yin (Ngee Ann #7) who went up for another two.
Dunman then tried several drives to the basket, but their attempts were denied by the Ngee Ann defenders who stood strong in the paint. They took a couple more easy shots which they failed to convert, but thereafter Sofia Raihanah (#12) finally managed to net an open three to take the lead back from Ngee Ann (7–6). Nur Adlina’s (#14) pair of free throws extended Dunman’s lead further before they pulled away to 15–9 by the end of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Ngee Ann continued to squander their offensive possessions as they made multiple mis-passes. Dunman then capitalized the turnovers to register a 12–0 scoring run halfway into the quarter.
Seven minutes into the quarter, Teo Lim Hui (#6) finally added two points for Ngee Ann when she converted a fast break run initiated by Png Yi Ling (#9). Siti Nur Azri (#14) was intimidating in the paint but it was not enough as Dunman led 33–15 heading into the break.
In the third quarter, Putri Nur Syazwani (#15) paced Dunman’s offensive plays with three composed 3-pointers. Ngee Ann were facing strong defence from Dunman and thus fumbled a lot with the ball. Yi Ling (#9) was diligently contributing to both offensive and defensive plays but the team could not connect well, and as such the plays did not gel.
Dunman led 53–20 going into the final quarter.
Hui Yin (#7) opened the scoring for Ngee Ann in the last quarter with an open elbow shot. Yi Ling (#9) continued to dish out good chances for her team mates during offensive plays, and limited Dunman’s drives defensively.
Ngee Ann exploited their opponents’ defensive mistakes and played a fierce catching-up game, outscoring Dunman 17–11 in the final quarter. However it was too large a deficit to overcome as they lost 36–65.
Dunman now face Anglican High in the final on Tuesday, March 4, at Anglican High School at 2pm.
Dunman captain Putri (#15) said, “My team didn’t really play well. I think we have to work harder, especially on our defense and the rebounding. We are aiming for national champions this season.”
Ngee Ann captain Yi Ling (#9) said, “Dunman were very aggressive. I think we didn’t do as well as what we’ve expected. I guess we lack stamina and thus couldn’t give our best shot. We could have put in more points, but did not cherish our scoring opportunities and weren’t strong mentally. We hope to get into nationals top four.”
Scoring by Quarter
Dunman vs Ngee Ann
1Q: 15–9
2Q: 18–6 (33–15)
3Q: 20–4 (53–19)
4Q: 11–17 (64–36)
Final score: 64–36
Top Scorers
Dunman
Putri Nur Syazwani (#15) – 17 points (4 x 3 pointer)
Ngee Ann
Har Hui Yin (#7) – 17 points (1 x 3 pointer)
Dunman Roster
Rafizan Roslah (#4), Kattbeya (#5), Nur Khaliesah (#6), Emiliati (#7), Marsha Folkoff (#8), Tanya Ee (#9), Pearlynn Yeo (#10), Shannon Tan (#11), Sofia Raihanah (#12), Nur ‘Aqidah (#13), Nur Adlina (#14), Putri Nur Syazwani (#15)
Ngee Ann Roster
Rachel Tan Jie Ying (#4), Liyana Bte Juraimi (#5), Teo Lim Hui (#6), Har Hui Yin (#7), Lim Wen Xin (#8), Png Yi Ling (#9), Nuryn Aqidah Bte Mohammad Adib (#10), Isabel Tan (#11), Nurizzati Bte Mohamed Shah (#12), Amalia Bte Umran (#13), Siti Nur Azri (#14), Siti Nur Azmina (#15)
East Zone B Division Girls Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results
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