Story by REDintern Gabriel Goh. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports

Players vying for the rebound.

Players vying for the rebound. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, April 9, 2014 — In a feisty encounter, National Junior College (NJC) held off a late Victoria Junior College (VJC) comeback to muster a 37–23 victory. This was NJC’s first win in round one after losing earlier in the week to Nanyang Junior College.

Amanda Lim (VJC #9) led with a game-high 15 points while Jacqueline Do (NJC #8) had eight points in the win.

Both sides struggled with their shooting at the start. Amanda Lim (VJC #9) was involved in most of the action on the ball, making attempts to escape her defender as she brought the play up the court. The quieter first half saw NJC take on a 3-point lead as they closed it 14–11 on the scoreboard.

Neither team could break through for a significantly higher score, until NJC stormed their way back with a 12–1 scoring run in the third quarter. This gave NJC a 26–12 lead. Ruby Chau’s (NJC #15) decisive blocks was the difference as it allowed Brenda Thng (NJC #9) to go for easy layups on turnovers. Emer Hoong’s (NJC #14) successful buzzer-beating shot also brought additional points for NJC.

The VJC coach made his players wake up in an unimpressive third quarter to play better. Shoring themselves up in defence, VJC got organised and forced their opponents to take outside shots in the final quarter. Despite VJC’s defensive pressure, NJC continued to play their fluid game of neat passes to wrap up a 37–23 win.

“Whatever it takes, we will hustle for every ball, every loose ball is ours,” said NJC captain, Natalie Tjakrawinata (#12), who saw her team running VJC off the court. “We were very focused since the last match when we lost, and now we’d like to take every game one at a time.”

Victoria Junior College will meet Serangoon Junior College next while National Junior College will play Yishun Junior College on Friday, April 11.

Scoring by Quarter
VJC vs NJC
1st Q: 2–6
2nd Q: 9–8 (11–14)
3rd Q: 1–12 (12–26)
4th Q: 11–11 (23–37)

Top Scorers
VJC
Amanda Lim (#9) – 15 points

NJC
Jacqueline Do (#8) – 7 points

Victoria Junior College Roster
Trini Tan Yun Ting (#4), Lee Qing Yi (#5), Chua Jin Xia Valerie (#6), Sheen Chick Si Kar (#7), Yip Xin Yi Louise (#8), Lim Zhi Yan Amanda (#9), Pang Sheng Min (#10), Zoe Tan Hui Ru (#11), Kum Ke Ying (#12), Beatrice Lin Zi Xin (#13), Jade Tan Wan Xuan (#14), Kong Wai Yee (#15).

National Junior College Roster
Kristerbel Pang (#4), Gwen Sim (#5), Tan Yu Xuan (#6), Lee Xin Ru (#7), Jacqueline Do (#8), Brenda Thng (#9), Ng Jing Yi (#10), Dawn Lieu (#11), Natalie Tjakrawinata (#12), Tan Zi Rou (#13), Emer Hoong (#14), Ruby Chau (#15).

2014 National A Division Girls Basketball Championship – fixtures and results

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