Story by REDintern Ellis Yap. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Tiana Ng (SCGS #5) attempts to drive past AHS defenders. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, April 13, 2015 — Clarice Tan’s (#5) game-high 21 points helped Anglican High (AHS) squeeze past Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) for a 45–41 win in the semi-final of the National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
SCGS had the first touch of the ball with the tip off but after that both teams went ice cold on offence. They seemed equally nervous and wary of each other as they missed easy baskets and wide-open jumpers.
The first basket came only after nearly four minutes of play from the free throw line by Caroline Gregory (SCGS #11). Offence was sluggish for Anglican High as they continued to commit turnovers and struggled to get their first basket of the game.
Anglican High finally shook off the cold with a high-arching three-pointer from Clarice Tan (#5) with five minutes left on the clock in the first quarter. With that, she continued to score two straight three-pointers in the next three minutes, giving Anglican High a huge confidence boost. This got them right back on track with several teammates contributing baskets in succeeding possessions. Anglican ended the first quarter with a comfortable 17–9 lead.
SCGS had an answer in the second quarter and went on a 10–4 run to narrow the deficit to three points. As the clock ticked down, Clarice Tan (AHS #5) threw up another three-pointer, with the help of the glass, for a buzzer-beater to solidify their lead.
The highlight of the third quarter came from Clarice Tan (AHS #5). She accomplished an improbable play with a drive along the baseline, splitting two towering defenders for a layup at an impossible angle. She followed with a tough basket and a three-pointer late in the quarter to give Anglican High a 39–32 lead.
SCGS came back all pumped up for the final push in the fourth quarter, dropping lay-ups and jumpers, including a three-pointer from Rachel Yeo (SCGS #12). A tough lay-up made by Tiana Ng (SCGS #5) capped a 7–0 SCGS run to reduce Anglican High’s lead to 39–37 with three minutes remaining.
SCGS crashed the glass, desperately looking for the basket that would give tie the game and eventually succeeded with a tough jumper from Sophia Ang (SCGS #10).
With the supporters of SCGS roaring and the Anglican High bench on the edge of their seats, Clarice Tan (AHS #5) took over. With five three-pointers already in the bank, Clarice Tan (AHS #5) knocked down her sixth three-pointer to regain the lead at 42–37. With that, Anglican High never looked back and held on for a narrow four-point win over SCGS.
In the other semi-final, Nanyang Girls’ High School beat the buzzer to edge out Dunman Secondary 58–57 to set up a final clash against Anglican High. The game will be played on Friday, April 17, 1 p.m. at Jurong East Sports Hall.
Scoring by Quarter
AHS vs SCGS
1st Quarter: 17–9
2nd Quarter: 12–15 (29–24)
3rd Quarter: 10–8 (39–32)
4th Quarter: 6–9 (45–41)
Top scorers
AHS
Clarice Tan (#5) – 21 points (6 x 3-pointers)
SCGS
Tiana Ng (#5) – 10 points
Caroline Gregory (#11) – 10 points
Larissa Liew (#6) – 6 points
Anglican High Roster
Navanee Lingam (#4), Clarice Tan (#5), Chelsea Eng (#6), Carissa Chan (#7), Jereca Png (#8), Shannon Tham (#9), Ng Qihui (#10), Joyce Lim (#11), Vivian Hau (#12), Sim Seemin (#13), Koh Hwee Ching (#14), Chang Jiaxuan (#15)
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)
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