By REDintern Dylan Chua. Photos by Les Tan/Red Sports.

(Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Patrick Low (#13) lays up against Greenridge. He finished with 8 points in the game. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, January 18, 2016 — New Town Secondary got their season off to a winning start despite an unconvincing performance in a 29-20 victory over Greenridge Secondary in the West Zone B Division Basketball Championship.

In a game which was characterised by plenty of missed shots and turnovers from both teams, Luen Zhe Yuan (#5) bagged a game-high nine points for New Town, while Viduka Go (#3) and Mason Chua (#28) had seven points apiece for Greenridge.

It took both teams a lengthy period to settle into the game. It was unsurprising that the game was scoreless until Patrick Low (New Town #13) scored with a lay-up with 6:38 left to go in the 1st. Patrick scored six points in the opening period alone to hand New Town a 7-point lead after one.

Both teams continued to misfire in the 2nd quarter. It took a nice backdoor cut by Viduka (#3) of Greenridge with 7:35 left to score the first points of the quarter. That allowed Greenridge to cut New Town’s lead to five, the closest they would get from that point onwards.

Greenridge had a chance to halve the deficit before the quarter ended, but Tordesillas Federico (#9) missed a shot at the buzzer as New Town led 14-5 after two.

After the restart, both teams continued to pressure their opponents into turnovers. As a result, both teams could not find any offensive rhythm to go a run, leaving both teams still in with a chance.

Luen Zhe Yuan (#5) then scored a three-pointer with 4:20 left in the quarter to hand New Town its first double-digit lead in the game. Although New Town were in the penalty late in the quarter, Greenridge could not capitalise on their numerous free-throw opportunities. The lead was 15 at the end of the 3rd and New Town seemed to have the game safely in the bag.

Yet, Greenridge players were an inspired bunch in the 4th, putting up some impressive plays to threaten New Town’s lead. With three minutes to go, Mason (#28) of Greenridge completed a three-point play and was again fouled on the next possession. Despite a courageous display by Greenridge, their efforts ultimately came up short as New Town hung on for a nine-point win.

Scoring by Quarter
Greenridge vs New Town
1st Quarter: 2-9
2nd Quarter: 3-5 (5-14)
3rd Quarter: 3-9 (8-23)
4th Quarter: 12-6 (20-29)

Top Scorers
Greenridge
Viduka Go (#3) – 7 points
Mason Chua (#28) – 7 points

New Town
Luen Zhe Yuan (#5) – 9 points
Patrick Low (#13) – 8 points

Greenridge Roster
Viduka Go Wei Jie (#3), Toh Yik Xuen, Alvin (#7), Tordesillas Shem Rafael Federico (#9), Yuki Take Lim Zheng Yue (#14), Raphael (#17), Shin Donghun (#18), Manalang Martin Noah Arong (#24), Raynan Soh (#25), Teo Haoyi (#27), Mason Chua (#28), Chong Jing Han (#30), Lim Zhan Hong, Dominic (#30)


New Town Roster
Sean (#4), Zhe Yuan (#5), Wesly (#6), Josiah (#6), Javan (#8), Mon Khant (#9), Aaron (#10), Hwee Yong (#11), Charles (#12), Patrick (#13), Teja (#14), Faazil (#15)

West Zone B Division Basketball Championship – fixtures and results

More photos next page