Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports

east zone b div bball finals chung cheng main dunman secondary

Erika Sim (CC #6) with the clutch basket to secure the win. She had a game-high 14 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)

Anglican High, Thursday, March 2, 2017 — Chung Cheng High School (Main) (CC) came up clutch in the fourth quarter to outlast Dunman Secondary (DS) 37-32 and clinch the East Zone B Division Basketball Girls Championship.

With this win, Chung Cheng will advance to the National Championship as the first seed from the east while Dunman advance as the second. The Nationals will begin after the March school holiday break.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the first quarter. However, Dunman were out-hustling Chung Cheng.

Many times, Dunman were able to get many offensive rebounds for second chances to score. However their shots were not able to fall and Dunman were only up 9-5 after the first.

In the second quarter, Chung Cheng (Main) upped their defensive intensity. They forced a turnover which led to two fast-break points. Thereafter they also got a defensive stop and scored on their possession to bring the game back to a tie.

Both teams were however shooting poorly from the field.

Chung Cheng broke the tie when Vernice Lim (CC #2) scored a three-pointer to give them the lead. The three got Chung Cheng going as Gwen Ng (CC #11) made another three as well. The back to back threes extended Chung Cheng’s lead to six.

Undaunted, Doo Jia Qi (DS #6) made a three to end the second quarter as Dunman cut the lead of Chung Cheng to three.

In the third, Dunman continued to hustle and got many offensive rebounds. However, their shooting woes continued as they missed their shots despite the many offensive rebounds they had.

On the other hand, Chung Cheng remained hot as they went on a 9-0 run for the first four minutes of the third.

Doo Jia Qi (DS #6) made a tough layup to end the Chung Cheng scoring spell. On their ensuing possession, Charlene Tan (DS #7) drew a foul and made two free throws to cut the lead farther.

However, Thalia Tan (CC #8) of Chung Cheng made a three-pointer to end the third.

Chung Cheng were up 31-21 after the first three quarters.

Dunman took the break to reorganize themselves. They came into the fourth hot. Dunman went on a run to cut the 10-point Chung Cheng lead to one.

Just when it seems like the momentum had shifted in favor of Dunman, Erika Sim (CC #6) came up clutch and scored six straight points for Chung Cheng.

These six points of Erika Sim (CC #6) were the only points Chung Cheng (Main) scored in the fourth, but they were all it took to propel them towards victory.

Chung Cheng captain, Gwen Ng (CC #11), said, “The fighting spirit for us and not wanting to let down our coach and teachers kept us going throughout the game.”

Erika Sim (CC #6), who scored the final 6 points for Chung Cheng, said, ” I just wanted to win this match so badly so I just tried to score every single ball.”

Scoring by Quarter
Chung Cheng vs Dunman
1st Q: 5-9
2nd Q: 12-5 (17-14)
3rd Q: 14-7 (31-21)
4th Q: 6-11 (37-32)

Top Scorers
Chung Cheng
Erika Sim (#6) – 14 pts

Dunman
Doo Jia Qi (#6) – 10 pts

Chung Cheng (Main) Roster
Vernice Lim (#2), Cheong Winyee (#3), Zhang Shuning (#4), Shannon Chong (#5), Erika Sim (#6), Elke Goh (#7), Thalia Tan (#8), Poh Bao Zhen (#9), Quek Ning Xuan (#10), Gwen Ng (#11), Huang Lizhen (#12), Quek Jing Ting (#15)

Dunman Roster
Megan Phua (#4), Putri (#5), Doo Jia Qi (#6), Charlene Tan (#7), Khoo Zi Shan (#8), Natalie Low (#9), Amirah (#10), Wynelle Chia (#11), Beatrice Chok (#12), Theresa (#13), Kelly (#14), Huda (#15)

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