Story by Ellis Yap/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Au Zi Yu (#9) of Hwa Chong Institution shoots the ball against Nanyang Junior College. She scored a game-high 30 points, including nine three-pointers, en route to winning Most Valuable Player honours. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Jurong East Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 19, 2015 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) defeated Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) 60–54 to defend their title in the National A Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
Au Zi Yu (HCI #9), who won the Most Valuable Player award, propelled HCI to victory with a game-high 30 points, including nine three-pointers, with six of them coming in the second half.
Both teams appeared evenly matched in the opening quarter as neither team was able to pull away for a substantial lead. NYJC managed to hold a slight 15–14 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
The key players of NYJC showed up in the second quarter. After Au Zi Yu (HCI #9) made a three-pointer in the opening minutes of the second period, NYJC pushed the issue on offense to go on a 13–3 run.
Ong Sin Kee (NYJC #6) started the run with back to back three-pointers. She followed through with a lay-up to score eight straight points, forcing an HCI time-out.
NYJC came back from the time-out with momentum still on their side. Tan Li Min (NYJC #7) sank a three-pointer and Toh Hui Ying (NYJC #5) contributed a wide open jumper to give NYJC their biggest lead of the game (30–17) late in the second period.
HCI were unable to convert from the field and a time-out was once again called by HCI. Au Zi Yu (HCI #9) came back and sank a three-pointer immediately after that to close the gap to 25-30. NYJC continued their surge as they finished the quarter with an 11-point lead.
The story of the game came in the third quarter with Zi Yu (HCI #9) dropping five of her nine three-pointers in the 10-minute span. NYJC left Zi Yu (HCI #9) open for much of the third quarter and she caught fire from beyond the three-point arc.
HCI regained their lead after Zi Yu (HCI #9) made her fifth three-pointer late in the third period. Au Zi Yu (HCI #9) scored 17 points in the third period alone as HCI outscored NYJC 19–5 to pull ahead 44–41.
The presence of Ya Lian (#12) (HCI #12) stopped the interior offense of NYJC in the final quarter as the NYJC had a size disadvantage in the paint. NYJC were unable to convert in the paint against a towering Ya Lian (HCI #12) guarding, and also could not convert from range either.
HCI kept their noses in front with a 16–13 final quarter to seal the victory.
Zi Yu (HCI #9) said, “It was a very good performance, very very good! We all played well and it was good!”
Referring to her coach, teacher-in-charge, and the roaring HCI crowd, she added, “I would like to thank them very much!”
Scoring by quarter
NYJC vs HCI
1st Quarter: 15–14
2nd Quarter: 21–11 (36–25)
3rd Quarter: 5–19 (41–44)
4th Quarter: 13–16 (54–60)
Top Scorers
HCI
Au Zi Yu (#9) – 30 points (9 x 3-pointer)
NYJC
Tan Li Min (#7) – 22 points (4 x 3-pointer)
Ong Sin Kee (#6) – 11 points (2 x 3-pointer)
HCI Roster
Sheryl Ng (#4), Nichole Tan (#5), Chloe Yan (#6), Lim Boon Yee (#7), Jia Hwee (#8), Au Zi Yu (#9), Xiu Yi (#10), Daliniraj (#11), Ya Lian (#12), Lin Yuan (#13), Chloe Tan (#14), Chan Yu Shin (#15)
NYJC Roster
Nicole Chung (#4), Toh Hui Ying (#5), Ong Sin Kee (#6), Tan Li Min (#7), Teo Wei Xin (#8), Ong Sze Ming (#9), Tan Jaymie (#10), Sim Zhi-Ting (#11), Annkatrin Clarissa Kreiger (#12), Jaslyn Koh (#13), Yeo Shi Yi (#14), Genevieve Chew (#15)
More photos next page
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