Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Tan Qi Qing (HCI #12) with the base-line drive. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Friday, May 12, 2017 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) dominated on both ends of the floor to get the 51-26 victory over Serangoon Junior College (SRJC) in the National A Division Basketball Championship.
With this win, HCI continue an undefeated streak since their first round games with a 5-0 win-loss record. They defeated Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) previously in round two and will play against National Junior College (NJC) next to determine who will enter the semi-final as first place of group Y.
On the other hand, this loss marks the end of the season for SRJC. They have a win-loss record of 3-3 since their round one games. SRJC lost to NJC previously and will play their final game against NYJC next.
HCI got off to a good start. They played good defensively to prevent SRJC from scoring the easy shots. Defense led to offense for the HCI players as they scored several points from their transition offense. HCI outscored SRJC 11-6 in the first quarter.
Continuing to the second quarter, HCI continued their stellar performance on both ends of the floor to widen their lead. However, SRJC upped their defensive intensity to try and stop HCI. Najihah Bte Salim (SRJC #22) of SRJC racked up blocks on the defensive end to prevent HCI from scoring the easy layups. Unfazed, HCI continued playing their game of basketball to lead 23-9 at the half.
While Nicole Beh (SRJC #8) tried to will her team back after getting into a rhythm offensively, SRJC could not contain the balanced scoring of HCI. Tan Qi Qing (HCI #12) scored a game-high 12 points while her teammate Jacqueline Yang (HCI #8) added 10 points of her own.
With no answer to HCI’s balanced scoring, SRJC could not find a way to cut the HCI lead. HCI eventually took the game 51-26.
HCI captain, Natasha Ng (HCI #9), commented, “For today’s game, we watched their previous games and realized that they had a few key players we had to stop. And I am glad to say we nailed that which allowed us to get the victory today. We hope we can continue our good streak. Our team’s morale is up and we hope we can stay undefeated. I think we stand a chance but NJC will be a tough opponent. However if we continue what we are doing and correct on our mistakes, I believe we stand a chance.”
Scoring by Quarter
HCI vs SRJC
1st Q: 11-06
2nd Q: 12-03 (23-09)
3rd Q: 15-07 (38-16)
4th Q: 13-10 (51-26)
Top Scorers
HCI
Tan Qi Qing (#12) – 12 pts
Jacqueline Yang (#8) – 10 pts
SRJC
Nicole Beh (#8) – 8 pts
HCI Roster
Glades Tan (#4), Lavelle Wong (#5), Soon Wei Wen (#6), Adeline Wong (#7), Jacqueline Yang (#8), Natasha Ng (#9), Sophia Marani (#10), Tan Qi Qing (#12), Ho Wei Lin (#13), Lan Ran (#14), Si Yihan (#15)
SRJC Roster
Tan Jia Hong (#5), Joyce Tan Hui Ling (#7), Nicole Beh (#8), Liaw Siew Ting (#11), Tan Yi Lin (#12), Xuan Lin (#15), Qin Kailin (#16), Cheong Xin Ting Amanda (#17), Najihah Bte Salim (#22), Loke Hui Xian (#23), Ruth Leong En Hui (#30), Akila Suresh Raja (#99)
More photos next page
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