By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Valarie Lim (#7) of Jurong Secondary drives against Nanyang Girls’ High. The swingman contributed 16 points, 11 assists and five steals to her way to clinching Most Valuable Player honours. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Jurong East Sports Hall, Thursday, August 27, 2015 — Jurong Secondary’s swingman Valarie Lim (#7) shone on the biggest arena of the season, helping her team beat Nanyang Girls’ High 57–52 in the final of the National C Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
Lim’s (7) 16 points, 11 assists and five steals also helped her clinch Most Valuable Player honours.
To Jurong, the victory meant more than anything else, as it gave them their first title since 2002. It was a befitting end to a flawless season, which included bragging rights as West Zone champions.
“Throughout the whole season, the team worked very hard during trainings and gave their 100 percent in all our games,” said Jurong captain Tan Kang Yi (#12).
“I really just want to thank them for giving their all to help us to our first national title in 13 years. It’s really an honour to be in this team and play alongside everyone, and we’ve finally brought glory to Jurong.”
The game, a rematch of the West Zone final, clearly belonged to Jurong as they never trailed. However, it was a much closer affair than previously, where Jurong were 56–42 victors.
Right from tip-off, Lim (#7) caused problems for Nanyang Girls’ defences, as they had no answer to her drives and offensive playmaking.
Despite the loss, Nanyang Girls’ enjoyed stellar plays from guard Zolynn Lau (#7), who had 15 points and 11 boards, eight of which were offensive. Yang Shixuan (#12) and Ivon Kong (#13) added 14 and 12 points respectively.
Lau (#7) was particularly effective, as she kept Nanyang Girls’ within striking reach of Jurong, whittling down the deficit to as close as three points in the fourth quarter.
In the closing minutes of the game, however, Nanyang Girls’ could not convert on the offensive end, despite forcing several turnovers from their opponents.
Despite the shooting drought, a clutch putback by Siti Suhailah (#11) put the game out of reach for Nanyang Girls’ and sealed their fate.
“I’m very very proud of the girls, because they have been performing consistently throughout the whole tournament,” said Jurong teacher-in-charge Nur Qarnain.
“Nanyang gave us a scare and this is definitely part and parcel of the game, and such situations would only make the game more interesting.
“But ultimately, I’m glad the girls calmed their nerves and pulled through,” he added.
Score by quarter
Jurong vs Nanyang Girls’
1st quarter: 13–7
2nd quarter: 14–16 (27–23)
3rd quarter: 18–14 (45–37)
4th quarter: 12–15 (57–52)
Top scorers
Jurong
Valarie Lim Xue Er (#7) – 16 points
Sim Yu Na Kindra (#10) – 10 points
Nanyang Girls’
Zolynn Lau (#7) – 15 points
Yang Shixuan (#12) – 14 points
Ivon Kong Ching Mun (#13) – 12 points
Jurong Roster
Richa Rachel John (#4), Dian Farhana Bte Asrin (#5), Valarie Tan Jia Xuan (#6), Valarie Lim Xue Er (#7), Nursakinah Bte Rosli (#8), Koh Yu Qian (#9), Sim Yu Na Kindra (#10), Siti Suhaila Bte Rahimi (#11), Tan Kang Yi (#12), Loh Yu Xian (#13), Foo Le Yao (#14), Otaki Minami (#15)
Nanyang Girls’ Roster
Erinn Lee Shu Han (#4), Huang Shi Yun (#5), Li Silin (#6), Zolynn Lau (#7), Goh Cheng Gek Jade Lenor (#8), Tan Li Qi (#9), Lee Hui Yi (#10), Zhang Zheting (#11), Yang Shixuan (#12), Ivon Kong Ching Mun (#13), Liu Baoman (#14), Goh Kung Huang (#15)
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