By REDintern Dylan Chua. Photos by REDintern Hua Zheng.
Aaron (NSS #12) lays up against Laxamana (MSS #11) and Daniel Ngon (MSS #6). (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, January 13, 2016 — Northland Secondary (NSS) used an outstanding 1st quarter run to clinch a 34-19 victory over Montfort Secondary (MSS) on the opening day of the 2016 North Zone B Division Basketball Championship.
Enzio (#9) and Daren (#7) had 10 and eight points respectively to lead Northland, while Laxamana Gio David (#11) of Montfort had a team-high seven points.
The game was scoreless for the first three minutes until Enzio (NSS #9) made 1 of 2 from the line to open the scoring. On the ensuing possession, a well-run inbound play by Montfort left Laxamana (MSS #11) with a wide-open under basket to hand Montfort its first lead of the game. Both teams continued to trade baskets as there were five lead changes in the opening quarter.
However, Northland soon found its rhythm on the offensive end to go on a 12-0 run in the last two minutes of the quarter, building a double digit lead at 15-4 heading into the 2nd.
Montfort refused to buckle, however, as they started eating into Northland’s lead. With three minutes to go in the 2nd, Laxamana Gio David (MSS #11) went 2 for 2 from the line to put Montfort within six points.
That would be the closest they could get to Northland though, as Daren (NSS #7) showed some neat under basket footwork to score two points. This allowed Northland to hold a comfortable eight-point lead at the half.
Playing at the tip of a half court 3-2 defence, Daren’s (NSS #7) huge physical presence managed to throw Montfort off several times as he came up with a few steals in the 3rd. The 3rd quarter was a low-scoring affair but Northland managed to recapture a double-digit lead heading into the 4th.
Aaron (NSS #12) was outstanding in the final quarter as he attacked the open court at every opportunity. He was responsible for a few made baskets and assists in the quarter.
Northland was held scoreless for the last five minutes of the game but that did not matter as their defence held up against Montfort to secure a winning start to the season.
This was Montfort’s first season in the North Zone and their captain, Leow Zijian (#4), said, “We didn’t play well enough and have a lot of to improve on the defensive end.”
Enzo, the Northland captain, said, “This game was pretty bad because we didn’t do what the coach said. We have to improve on defence, shooting and maintain a good focus throughout the game.”
Northland next play Anderson on Friday, January 15, while Montfort will play Anderson on Monday, January 18.
Scoring by Quarter
Montfort vs Northland
1st Quarter: 4-15
2nd Quarter: 11-8 (15-23)
3rd Quarter: 2-6 (17-29)
4th Quarter: 2-5 (19-34)
Top Scorers
Montfort
Laxamana Gio David (#11) – 7 points
Daniel Ngon Hao Wen (#6) – 6 points
Northland
Enzio (#9) – 10 points
Daren (#7) – 8 points
Montfort Roster
Leow Zijian (#4), Teo Chuan Hao (#5), Daniel Ngon Hao Wen (#6), Tan Hong An, Alvin (#7), Derry Sng Wei Jie (#8), Macarius Peh Ming En (#9), Santos Justinian Emmanuel (#10), Laxamana Gio David (#11), Kee Kai Zhi (#12), Timothy Thia You Cho (#13), Michael Ong Ning (#14), Tan Chan Hong, Owen Joel (#15)
Northland Roster
Jerrold (#4), Jason (#5), Nas (#6), Daren (#7), Eugene (#8), Enzio (#9), Jessi (#10), Welly (#11), Aaron (#12), Why Keong (#13), Yu Heng (#14), Sivaya (#15)
North Zone B Division Basketball Championship – fixtures and results
More photos next page
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