Story by Dylan Chua/Red Sports. Photos by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports and Jerald Ang/Red Sports.

Yeo Ding Xin (Zhonghua #11) pulls up for a running jumpshot over the defense. She finished with a game-high 17 points. (Photo © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)

Yeo Ding Xin (Zhonghua #11) pulls up for a running jumpshot over the defense. She finished with a game-high 17 points. (Photo 1 © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)

Delta Sports Hall, Monday, February 29, 2016 — Zhonghua Secondary put up a courageous display to oust defending champions CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 46-43 in the South Zone B Division Basketball Championship semi-finals.

In a scrappy contest from start to finish, Yeo Ding Xin (#11) bagged a game-high 17 points to lead Zhonghua while teammate Reanne Ching (#7) added 13 points. Joelle Thng (#11) scored 14 points for CHIJ (Toa Payoh).

The 1st quarter was an intense affair as both team’s relentless pursuit of fast break opportunities led to many back and forth turnovers. CHIJ (Toa Payoh) enjoyed the better of the breaks and ended the 1st quarter on a 9-1 run to grab a 17-12 lead.

Zhonghua came charging back in the 2nd quarter as they regained the lead at 24-23 with 2:22 remaining. It was more of the same in the 3rd quarter as the team in black outscored the defending champs yet again to lead 40-31 after three quarters.

CHIJ (Toa Payoh) refused to buckle under pressure in the 4th quarter and managed to cut Zhonghua’s lead to just one point. Momentum was on CHIJ (Toa Payoh)’s side when an injury to Claudia Tan (Zhonghua #14) caused a lengthy delay to the game and helped take the sting out of the contest.

At 43-44 down, CHIJ (Toa Payoh) still had opportunities to launch a comeback but failed to convert on three separate fast break opportunities before a mid-range jumper put Zhonghua up three with 1:05 remaining.

Zhonghua successfully repelled CHIJ (Toa Payoh) desperate attempts in the final minute and ended their opponents’ title defense in style, grabbing a 46-43 victory and advanced to the Championship Game.

Zhonghua will face National Junior College (NJC) at 1pm on Thursday, March 4, in the final of the South Zone B Division Basketball championship. NJC booked their place in the final after dispatching Mayflower in the semis.

Scoring by Quarter
CHIJ (Toa Payoh) vs Zhonghua
1st Q: 17-12
2nd Q: 6-14 (23-26)
3rd Q: 8-14 (31-40)
4th Q: 12-6 (43-46)

Top Scorers
CHIJ (Toa Payoh)
Joelle Thng (#11) – 14 points

Zhonghua
Yeo Ding Xin (#11) – 17 points
Reanne Ching (#7) – 13 points

CHIJ (Toa Payoh) Roster
Rachel Yap (#7), Claire Tay (#9), Sarah Tan (#10), Joelle Thng (#11), Rene Siu (#14), Ashley Ler (#24), Isabelle Monteiro (#25), Anne Marie Yap (#27), Tania Abraham (#28), Yan Ning (#33), Yarinda Ang (#82), Leong Jia Long (#99)

Zhonghua Roster
Esther Yip (#4), Jonalyn Koh (#5), Reanne Ching (#7), Shermin Moh (#8), Sherry Lee (#9), Ummi Kaltom (#10), Yeo Ding Xin (#11), Jeslyn Chew (#12), Claudia Tan (#14), Crystal Ho (#15), Lim Fang Hui (#16), Nikki Lee (#25)

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