Story by REDintern Carissa Tan. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports

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Players fight over possession of the ball. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Friday, March 27, 2015 — Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) displayed tenacity and mental strength as they came back in the second half for a 54–47 victory over Unity Secondary in the first round of the National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.

Rachel Yeo (#12) led SCGS’s offence, coordinating the attack and scoring three baskets in a row in the first five minutes. This gave SCGS an early 7–0 lead midway into the first quarter.

The strong defence put up by SCGS was a great hindrance for Unity. As a result, Unity only managed to score their first basket after seven minutes.

Despite Unity’s lacklustre performance in the beginning, they took the lead in the second quarter. Fast breaks from Unity allowed them to build a strong lead. SCGS were visibly shaken by this reversal as they fumbled with passes below the basket. They missed multiple shots before finally scoring.

However, SCGS came back rejuvenated in the third quarter, poised to narrow the score deficit. Unity were unable to intercept SCGS’s passes as they displayed fluid teamwork across the court.

Capitalising on this, SCGS players Briana Lee (#8) and Sophia Ang (#10) scored 10 and eight points respectively to narrow the score margin.

In the last quarter, Rachel Yeo (SCGS #12) scored a stunning three-pointer to finally tie the game.

SCGS proceeded to establish a comfortable lead subsequently with Unity players tiring out. They eventually clinched the 54–47 victory over Unity.

“The game was very intense. It was neck-and-neck for the whole way. For the first half, we were leading and after a while, we trailed. I really admire Unity’s team spirit. They never gave up as well and were really strong. I think it was a really good game against them,” said SCGS captain, Tiana Ng (#5).

This is SCGS’s second game and second win.

Scoring by Quarter
SCGS vs Unity Secondary
1st Quarter: 13–5
2nd Quarter: 6–22 (19–27)
3rd Quarter: 16–11 (35–33)
4th Quarter: 19–9 (54–47)

Top Scorers
SCGS
Rachel Yeo (#12) – 25 points
Briana Lee (#8) – 16 points

Unity
Eilya Sabrina Bte Suhaimi (#8) – 9 points
Musrifah Fadzlia Bte Masiran (#12) – 8 points
Lim Xiang Xuan (#13) – 8 points

SCGS Roster
Gladys Khor (#4), Tiana Ng (#5), Larissa Liew (#6), Ruth Leong (#7), Briana Lee (#8), Ai Ling Lam (#9), Sophia Ang (#10), Caroline Gregory (#11), Rachel Yeo (#12), Shannon Tiong (#13), Ang Chui Yen (#14)

Unity Secondary Roster
Stephanie Tan Lyn (#4), Ng Jie Yi (#5), Shreya Sengar (#6), Maisarah Bte Mohammad Sauki (#7), Eilya Sabrina Bte Suhaimi (#8), Nurul Ameerah Tunessa (#9), Siti Nur Athirah Bte Arnuar (#10), Tan Jun Xiu (#11), Musrifah Fadzlia Bte Masiran (#12), Lim Xiang Xuan (#13), Ee Chew Fong Olivia (#14), Melissa Mok Zi Yi (#15)

National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship — fixtures and results

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