Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Players fight for the rebound. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, April 7, 2014 — Jurong (JSS) came back from a weak first half to beat Chung Cheng High (Main) (CCH) 40–23 in the final group game of the National B Division Girls Basketball Championship.
With this win, Jurong have qualified for the second round of the National Championship. They achieved national top four last year. On the other hand, the loss dropped Chung Cheng High (Main) to a 0–3 win-loss record and they were eliminated.
Nur Khardiyanty (JSS #4) led her team with 13 points, while Pearlin Than (CCH #12) had a team-high 10 points.
Both teams failed to find the range with most of their shots early into the game, missing several scoring chances. Chung Cheng High (Main) depended on team work in the first quarter to take on a slight 9–7 lead.
Midway into the second quarter, Jurong faced a scoring drought and Chung Cheng High (Main) capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes to go on fastbreaks, putting together a 5–0 scoring run to lead 14–7. However, Jurong eventually drew even at 14–14 with five points from Nur Shahidah (#15) and two from Nur Diyana (#9). They scored two more baskets towards the end of the first half to take on a 18–14 lead going into the break.
Nur Diyana (JSS #9) was crucial for her team in the third quarter, driving strongly to the basket and thus drawing fouls from her defenders. She also took on an assistive role, dishing the ball out to her open teammates.
Jurong were leading 22–17 when they stepped up offensively to go to 30–17. They also pressured Chung Cheng High (Main) with good defence, taking on a comfortable 13-point lead going into the final quarter.
At the start of the final quarter, Nur Khardiyanty (JSS #4) led her team offensively, scoring four consecutive baskets to go to 38–17.
For Chung Cheng High (Main), the duo of Sim Zhi Ting (#9) and Pearlin Than (#12) poured in points for their team. They were the only scorers for their team in the second half, contributing a total of nine points.
Chung Cheng High (Main) tried hard to reduce the deficit, but it was too far gone. Nur Syairah (JSS #10) scored on the final fast break to end the game 40–23 winners.
Jurong captain, Shahidah (#15) said, “At first we performed terribly, but eventually we played better, after the first quarter. I think my team needs morale support to get going.”
Chung Cheng High (Main) captain, Zhi Ting (#9) said, “For next year, I think my juniors could try to aim for East Zone top four and Nationals top eight.”
Scoring by Quarter
JSS vs CCH
1Q: 7–9
2Q: 11–5 (18–14)
3Q: 12–3 (30–17)
4Q: 10–6 (40–23)
Final score: 40–23
Top Scorers
Jurong
Nur Khardiyanty (#14) – 13 points
Chung Cheng High (Main)
Pearlin Than (#12) – 10 points
Jurong Secondary Roster
Nur Khardiyanty Bte Kamarudin (#4), Syahidah Bte Mohd Hashim (#5), Bok Wen Qi (#6), Tracy Tan Jie Lin (#7), Nur Syarafina Bte Azmi (#8), Nur Diyana Bte Azmi (#9), Nur Syairah Sukadi (#10), Teng Sok Yee (#11), Tiffany Yew Siew Lan (#12), U Min Zhen (#13), Chua Jia Yun (#14), Nur Shahidah Bte Mohamad Saleh (#15)
Chung Cheng High (Main) Roster
Choo Hui Xing (#4), Ming Xia (#5), Bella Chong (#6), Su Ziling (#7), Sarah Wong (#8), Sim Zhi Ting (#9), Chew Cui Ning (#10), Pang Jia Jia (#11), Pearlin Than (#12), Koh Han Ning (#13), Felicia Woon (#14), Clara Lim (#15)
National B Division Girls Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results
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