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

Shaun Ng Hong Long (HIH #99) drives to the basket. He scored a game-high 14-points in the contest. (Photo 1 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)

Shaun Ng Hong Long (HIH #99) drives to the basket. He scored a game-high 14-points in the contest. (Photo 1 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)

OCBC Arena, Tuesday, February 20, 2018 — Holy Innocents’ High School (HIH) overcame a sluggish first quarter to defeat Peicai Secondary School (PCS) 49–32 in the second round of the South Zone B Division Basketball Championship.

Shaun Ng Hong Long (HIH #99) and Lee Cheng Xiao (HIH #21) both scored 14 points to lead all scorers while Ethan Lai Chak Hong (HIH #30) chipped in 10 points for Holy Innocents’.

Tan Chao Khon (PCS #12) scored 13 points to lead Peicai in the scoring column while Lee Heng Yi Stallonzo (PCS #15) chipped in with eight.

When asked about how they overcame their poor start in the victory, Holy Innocents’ captain Neo Yi Quan (HIH #25) stated: “Our team play was the key factor in this game. We trusted one another and played well enough to earn this win.”

Holy Innocents’ improved to a 1–2 win-loss record while Peicai fell to 0–3. Both teams are out of the running for a semi-finals berth.

The game started with Peicai taking control of the game, playing at a fast pace to score easy semi-transition baskets.

On the other hand, Holy Innocents’ found themselves struggling to score even though their ball movement led to wide-open shots.

At the end of the first quarter, Peicai led 10–4.

Holy Innocents’ shook off their offensive slump in the second period, when they outscored Peicai 19–7.

Lee Cheng Xiao (HIH #21) caught fire to fuel Holy Innocents’ offensive explosion, where he rained down three three-pointers on Peicai’s defense as he scored 11 of his 14 points in the quarter.

At the half, Holy Innocents’ found themselves leading 23–17.

Peicai battled back in the third period as they locked up on defense in an effort to prevent Holy Innocents’ from having open looks at the basket.

However, they were unable to trim Holy Innocents’ lead as they struggled to convert their shots against Holy Innocents’ staunch defense.

Heading into the final period trailing 26–34, Peicai played a ‘run and gun’ offense in an attempt to score quick baskets. However, fatigue seemed to get the better of them, as they committed costly turnovers and seemed sluggish on defense.

Smelling blood in the water, Holy Innocents’ would then proceed to take full control of the game in the final period, where they outscored Peicai 15–6 mainly on semi-transition baskets to earn a 49–32 victory.

Both teams will play their final match on 22 February at the OCBC Arena. Peicai will face off against Guangyang while Holy Innocents’ will be playing against Mayflower. Both matches will tip-off at 1.00 pm.

Scoring by Quarter
Holy Innocents’ vs Peicai
1st Q: 4–10
2nd Q: 19–7 (23–17)
3rd Q: 11–9 (34–26)
4th Q: 15–6 (49–32)

Top Scorers
Holy Innocents’
Shaun Ng Hong Long (#99) — 14 points
Lee Cheng Xiao (#21) — 14 points
Ethan Lai Chak Hong (#30) — 10 points

Peicai
Tan Chao Khon (#12) — 13 points
Lee Heng Yi Stallonzo (#15) — 8 points

Holy Innocents’ Roster
Shaun Ng Hong Long (#99), Ethan Lai Chak Hong (#30), Chang Jing Jie (#22), Sih Zheng Hong (#11), Lee Cheng Xiao (#21), Khoo Jia’En Jaren (#0), Neo Yi Quan (#25), Ng Juan Zhe Darius (#13), Jarryl Kiu Wen Xin (#43), Heng Jinxue (#12), Terry Chan Jing Xiang (#17)

Peicai Roster
Lim Shao Feng (#4), Tan Kuan Feng (#5), Too Zhi Cai Benedict (#6), Dexter (#7), Alan Gurung (#8), Nicholas Peh Rui Yang (#9), Koh Li Tian (#10), Tan Ren Xiang (#11), Tan Chao Khon (#12), Jovan Cheong Qin Xian (#13), Tam Wei Xuan (#14), Lee Heng Yi Stallonzo (#15)

More photos next page