By Tessa Cho/Red Sports. Photos by Laura Lee/Red Sports
Winnchis Yap (NYJC #15) attempts to shoot against NJC. Winnchis contributed 18 points to help her team beat NJC in the 3rd/4th playoff. (Photo 1 © Laura Lee/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, May 16, 2014 — Overcoming a slow start, Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) came back to claim third place after defeating National Junior College (NJC) 62–52 in the 3rd/4th playoff of the National A Division Girls Basketball Championship..
Winnchis Yap (NYJC #15) led with a game-high of 18 points while Tan Zi Rou (NJC #13) and Brenda Thng (NJC #9) had nine each.
This is the second encounter between the teams this season. They first met in the first round, where NYJC triumphed 36–30.
NJC began strongly, going on a 10–0 run initially. However, the introduction of Ong Sze Ming (NYJC #9) saw her lead many fast breaks to drive her team level at score at 10–10 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Sze Ming (NYJC #9) continue to dominate the court to give NYJC a 14–10. NJC also started to suffer turnovers and many unsuccessful attempts. They also struggled with rebounds which allowed NYJC to dominate and outscore them 12–4 for a 22–14 lead at half time.
Similarly, the third quarter was marked by many successful NYJC fast breaks. With additional baskets from free throws by Jacqueline Do (NJC #8), NYJC widened their lead to 34–16 with two points each by Toh Hui Ying (NYJC #5), Sixu Vongsuvanish (NYJC #6) and Sim Lee Ching (NYJC #11). Winnchis Yap (NYJC #15) added six.
Gwen Sim (NJC #5) and Jacqueline (NJC #8) each scored a three-pointer later in the quarter but NYJC maintained their stronghold to lead 44–34 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, NYJC fouls gave NJC the chance to make successful free throws to reduce the deficit to 39–44. However, a tight NYJC defence and multiple fast breaks secured a 62–52 victory and third place.
NYJC captain, Audrey Tay (#14), said, “Although we started off not very well, we managed to catch up. We were aware of their 3-points shooting from our previous encounter so we had to step up our outside defence. I’m very proud of my team and we are definiely very happy for each other.”
The NJC team displayed a positive attitude despite their loss. NJC captain, Natalie Tjakrawinata (#12), commented, “We may be a very short team (with most of us are not even 1.6m tall), but we have the biggest heart to play, and that’s what is most important.”
The NJC squad mostly comprises of school athletes from the 6-year integrated programme and have been training together for five years. This is also the first time that NJC have qualified for the top four.
Scoring by Quarter
NYJC vs NJC
1st Quarter: 10–10
2nd Quarter: 12–4 (22–14)
3rd Quarter: 22–20 (44–34)
4th Quarter: 18–18 (62–52)
Top Scorers
NYJC
Winnchis Yap (#15) – 18 points
Sixu Vongsuvanish (#6) – 10 points
NJC
Tan Zi Rou (#13) – 9 points
Brenda Thng (#9) – 9 points
NYJC Roster
Ong Sin Kee (#4), Toh Hui Ying (#5), Sixu Vongsuvanish (#6), Tan Li Min (#7), Adeline Phua (#8), Ong Sze Ming (#9), Yan Soo Peng (#10), Sim Lee Ching (#11), Shaynnie Phoe (#12), Luah Yin Yi (#13), Audrey Tay (#14), Winnchis Yap (#15)
NJC 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)
National A Division Girls Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results
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