Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Lloyd Ng (HCI #2) streaks ahead to complete the fast-break. He had a game-high 13 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Wednesday, April 26, 2017 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) showed dominance on their defensive end to take down Victoria Junior College (VJC) 74-15 in the National A Division Basketball Championship.
With this win, HCI have a 4-1 win-loss record. They lost against Anderson Junior College (AJC) but won against Catholic Junior College (CJC), Yishun Junior College (YJC) and Eunoia Junior College (EJC) previously. They will enter the next round as runners-up of Group C.
On the other hand, this marks the end of the season for VJC. They have a 1-4 win-loss record after losing to AJC, CJC and YJC. Their sole victory came from the game against EJC. They finished fifth in the group.
VJC’s Lee Yi Hern (VJC #2) scored the first points of the game with a quick transition basket while HCI got off to a slow start. Despite the good looks by HCI, they could not capitalize on their offensive end for the first three minutes of the game.
However, Keith Png (HCI #17) made a good post move to score the first basket for HCI in the first quarter. This got things going for HCI, motivating them to play harder to make their shots. HCI upped their defensive intensity and managed to force turnovers to score on the transition fast-break. They outscored VJC 14-4 in the first quarter.
Going into the second quarter, VJC were down 10 and still within striking distance. However, HCI played well on the defensive end to erase all chances of a comeback victory for VJC. Their full court press defense was able to force several turnovers off VJC for them to go on the offensive.
Led by Lloyd Ng’s (HCI #2) nine of his game-high 13 points in the second quarter, HCI went on to outscore VJC 25-3 to jump ahead and lead by 32 points at the half.
HCI had 11 players contributing to the score with their balanced scoring which steadily increased their lead. This balanced scoring and a lack of answer for their defense from VJC, HCI eventually took the game 74-15.
Brandon Wu (HCI #9), captain of HCI, commented, “I think we upped our defensive intensity compared to our previous games. We were also trying out new defensive strategies and were glad to see it work. However, we were very sloppy on our offense. We were missing easy layups and shots. They were good looks but we just aren’t making them.”
“Toughest opponent next round I feel would be Pioneer. Although that being said, every team is strong so we got to fight hard.”
Scoring by Quarter
HCI vs VJC
1st Q: 14-04
2nd Q: 25-03 (39-07)
3rd Q: 12-06 (51-13)
4th Q: 23-02 (74-15)
Top Scorers
HCI
Lloyd Ng (#2) – 13 pts
Greg G Tan (#32) – 12 pts
VJC
Leow Jun Heng (#11) – 7 pts
Hwa Chong Roster
Travis Thong (#0), Wei Yongxi (#1), Lloyd Ng (#2), Chua Qiwei (#4), Brandon Wu (#9), Sheng Kiat (#10), Shaune Ang (#11), Shengwei (#13), Lee Yue Han (#15), Keith Png (#17), Greg G Tan (#32), Vernen Lim (#35), Ray (#54), Kenneth Koh (#69), Cheah Yan (#91)
VJC Roster
Tan Woei Ler Kent (#0), Cho Jung Min (#1), Lee Yi Hern (#2), Toh Yi Ying (#4), Chester Ling Yuxuan (#6), Tan Wei Howe (#7), Kuah Sing Teck Timothy (#8), Teo Ming Jun (#9), Leow Jun Heng (#11), Chiu Chi Kuan James (#12), Mah Guo Hao (#15), Lim Jing Heng Brandon (#35)
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