Story by REDintern Lim Yi Fei. Photos by REDintern Benedict Yeo
Jingkai (FF #07) leaps to score in spite of the challenge from Unity. (Photo 1 © Benedict Yeo/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Wednesday, April 5, 2017 — In defeating Fairfield Methodist School 59-38 in the National B Division Basketball Championship, Unity Secondary also pipped their opponents in which Unity qualifies for semi-final where they will meet Christ Church Secondary.
Led by point guard Ethan (Unity #7) with a game-high 22 points, Unity survived a mid-game wobble against the Fairsians and a particularly low scoring third quarter. Unity had to win to stand any chance of moving to the semi-finals, with the 21-point victory margin eventually helping to push Fairfield into third place in group B on point difference.
“We played very well in the first quarter but in the second quarter, we had our downfall as we panicked,” said Unity’s Ethan. “In the third and final quarters, some of us stepped up and we managed to bring back our lead. It’s a miracle we proceeded into the semi-finals.”
Unity started the match well, ending the first quarter up 16-5 as their two-on-one men defence tactic effectively contained the Fairfield boys, who were also let down by their failure to turn rebounds into points.
Fairfield started getting into the game a little more in the second quarter, with star centre Sheng De (FMS #15) imposing himself with his height and helping his team keep pace. Unity outscored Fairfield by only a point in the second quarter, but was up 27-17 at half time due to their superior first quarter performance.
After a tepid third quarter where each team only scored four points, Unity came out charging in the fourth. Fairfield had no answer.
“We can definitely work on our communication and willpower,” said Unity’s Ethan. “A lot of us suddenly lost the will to play in today’s game. Now that we’re in the top four, we are motivated for the next few games.”
Points by Quarter
Unity vs Fairfield Methodist
1st Q: 14-5
2nd Q: 13-12 (27-17)
3rd Q: 4-4 (31-21)
4th Q: 28-17 (59-38)
Top Scorers
Unity
Ethan (#7) – 22 pts
Fairfield Methodist
Russell (#12) – 9 pts
Sheng De (#15) – 7 pts
Unity Roster
Stev chua (#0), Ryan Hoa (#2), Hairie (#4), Haran (#5), Gabriel Khoo (#6), Ethan (#7), Brian Julian (#8), Marco (#11), Micheal Jordan (#13), Soh Zi Xuan (#15), Jonathan Ng (#35), Karl Brian (#71)
Fairfield Methodist Roster
Jonathan (#2), Tanner (#4), Timothy (#6), Jingkai (#7), Leon (#9), Nicholas (#11), Russell (#12), Shafkat (#13), Sheng De (#15), Carl (#22), Jeremy (#33), Wenjun (#37)
More photos next page
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