Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Rafizan Roslan (Dunman #4) attempts to intercept the ball. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Jurong East Sports Hall, Thursday, April 24, 2014 — Nur Khaliesah sank a 3-pointer in the final minute to lift Dunman Secondary School (DMN) to a 38–35 win over Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS), retaining their National B Division Girls Basketball Championship title.
SCGS missed out on the final last year, after going down 58–62 to Unity in the semi-final game, while this is Dunman’s fifth consecutive appearance in the national final.
Nur Khaliesah (DMN #6) led her team with 11 points, while Charmaine Koh (SCGS #13) had a game-high 12 points.
SCGS won the tip-off to get the ball, then found Bernice Yeo (SCGS #4) on the key who converted for an easy two points. Nur Khaliesah (DMN #6) responded on the following transition with an uncontested 3-pointer. With a minute left in the first quarter, Dunman were trailing 6–12 but sank seven unanswered points to end it with a 13–12 lead.
The second quarter commenced with Nur ‘Aqidah (DMN #13) converting a free throw to up Dunman’s lead to 14–12. Charmaine Koh (SCGS #13) and Bernice Yeo (#4) then connected well during offensive plays to allow their team to go on a scoring streak, putting in ten unanswered points to take on a comfortable 22–14 lead. They totalled eight points in that, as Charmaine secured a pair of offensive rebounds to convert effortlessly, while Bernice established her dominance in the paint with cut-ins to chalk up points.
Defensively, Charmaine (SCGS #13) was also pivotal for the team as she went for every loose ball and executed well-timed shot blocks in the paint to deny Dunman’s attempts. Under her lead, SCGS were able to retain the ball in their offensive half most of the time to end the first half 23–18.
Despite being five points down, Dunman kept their heads in the game and stepped up defensively in the third quarter to significantly limit Charmaine (SCGS #13)’s scoring. They will team up on her whenever she got hold of the ball.
Putri Nur Syazwani (DMN #15) then sank a three to reduce the deficit to two points (21–23). Dunman seized their first lead in the second half of the game when Khaliesah (DMN #6) dished out a pass to find Nur Adlina (DMN #14), who then converted to make it 25–24. Eager to keep their lead, Dunman sustained their diligent defensive efforts and denied SCGS the opportunities to take shots. With that, SCGS were unable to beat the 24-second shot clock twice in a row.
However, SCGS came back towards the end of the third quarter to match up to their opponents’ level of play. Low Yi Xuan (SCGS #11) nailed a wide open three, while Rachel Mok (SCGS #6) cut into the paint to score two points to draw even with Dunman (29–29) going into the decisive final quarter.
In the last quarter, Dunman first broke out of the draw when Adlina (DMN #14) found the range with her shot on the key. Charmaine (SCGS #13) then managed a steal to drive straight to the basket for two points, levelling again at 31–31. The teams matched each other basket for basket, until it was tied again at 35–35 with a minute to go.
Ong Li Ping (SCGS #15) tried to break away from Dunman by attempting a three, but the ball rattled around the rim and finally bounced out. Dunman then mirrored their opponents’ 3-point effort, with Nur Khaliesah (DMN #6) trying one on the wing. The shot successfully made its mark to break the tie, lifting Dunman 38–35 over SCGS.
Dunman then desperately tried to retain their lead by diving for loose balls to deny SCGS the possession. SCGS tried a couple of threes in the final 30 seconds, but squandered the opportunities to match Dunman’s 3-pointer as they failed to find the net with their shots. Dunman preserved their 38–35 lead in the dying seconds to successfully defend their championship title.
Dunman’s captain, Putri (#15), said, “It’s good that all our hard work paid off. I’m happy that my team did well today, I’m really proud of my team. It’s my last year in the team so it’s a very memorable win. Last time C Girls we got third in the nationals, because we lost to SCGS. It’s the same batch of girls. So we’re really happy.”
On her final 3-point attempt that sealed the win for Dunman, Khaliesah (#6) said, “I’m very happy because I won for the team. Happy to be able to secure the title. We didn’t give up throughout the whole game, because sometimes we doubt ourselves, but with the support of our teachers, we are able to believe in ourselves and keep the title again.”
Scoring by Quarter
Dunman vs SCGS
1Q: 13–12
2Q: 5–11 (18–23)
3Q: 11–6 (29–29)
4Q: 9–6 (38–35)
Final score: 38–35
Top Scorers
Dunman
Nur Khaliesah (#6) – 11 points (2 x 3 pointer)
Nur ‘Aqidah (#13) – 7 points (2 x 3 pointer)
SCGS
Charmaine Koh (#13) – 12 points
Bernice Yeo (#4) – 9 points
Dunman Secondary Roster
Rafizan Roslan (#4), Kattleya (#5), Nur Khaliesah (#6), Emiliati (#7), Marsha Folkoff (#8), Tanya Ee (#9), Pearlyn Yeo (#10), Shannon Tan (#11), Sofia Raihanah (#12), Nur ‘Aqidah (#13), Nur Adlina (#14), Putri Nur Syazwani (#15)
Singapore Chinese Girls’ School Roster
Bernice Yeo (#4), Tiana Ng (#5), Rachel Mok (#6), Carisia Lee (#7), Lim Yin Yan (#8), Ceres Suwe (#9), Lin Yi Han (#10), Low Yi Xuan (#11), Sophia Ang (#12), Charmaine Koh (#13), Sevilla Chea (#14), Ong Li Ping (#15)
National B Division Girls Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results
More photos next page
Personally, I dont think the word “crushed” is that appropriate for this article. It was a mere 3 point and I think it was a very well-fought and close game.
The scgs players never gave up and to see this title must be really heartbreaking for them.
On the other hand, nice article. It just the tiltle. Sometimes, titles can mislead.
Thanks, Mabel. The word ‘crush’ was actually referring to the feeling of losing to a last-minute 3-pointer, not the scoreline. Will amend to reflect that clearly.
Hi! Great article, though you misspelled three of the players’ names. They are Rafizan RoslaN (#4) KattLeya (#5) and PearlyN Yeo (#10)
Thanks for catching those mistakes, Nabilah. 🙂 Fixed.