Story by REDintern Charles Lim. Photos by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports.

Lydia Ang (NVS #7) fires a jump-shot over the defense. She poured in a game-high 19 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)

OCBC Arena, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 — North Vista Secondary (NVS) cruised past Kranji Secondary (KSS) with a 36—14 win in the Preliminary Round of the National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.

Despite the tight full court defense by North Vista, Kranji was able to score the first basket coming off a jumper by Alayna Tan (KSS #5). This was subsequently answered with a 3-pointer from Lydia Ang (NVS #7), who was the main play-maker throughout the game on both ends of the floor. The first quarter ended with a narrow 4—7.

The second quarter saw Kranji struggling against the tightened defense of North Vista, with Lydia Ang (NVS #7) putting up a solid defence in the paint, denying numerous Kranji attempts. Lydia Ang (NVS #7) was also the main contributor for North Vista’s points in the second quarter, sinking in 7 of the 13 points. With this momentum, North Vista widened the score gap to 4—20 to end the quarter.

North Vista would lose their momentum in the third quarter as their 15-0 run was ended by Teo Wan Yu (KSS #9), who made a 3-point play off a foul in after her drive in towards the basket. Wan Yu (KSS #9) made 7 points this quarter, reducing Kranji’s deficit to 14—25 at the end of the quarter.

North Vista picked up their momentum once again in the final quarter and extended their lead further. By forcing turnovers that transited to fast break points, Kranji was not able to contest and the game ended with North Vista claiming the 36—14 victory.

On the team’s performance, North Vista Captain Lydia Ang (NVS #7) shared, “We were not playing up to the standard we did in the North Zone championships. Lets work harder towards National Top 4”.

This loss sees the elimination of Kranji from the preliminary round. Captain Alayna Tan (KSS #5) reflected, “We put up a good fight, played as a team as the game went on. We will need to improve our communication and support”.

With a 2-0 record, North Vista moves on to face National Junior College to determine the champion of the group. Kranji will be facing Ngee Ann secondary in their final match of the season.

Scoring by Quarter
KSS vs NVSS
1st Quarter: 4-7
2nd Quarter: 0–13 (4-20)
3rd Quarter: 9-5 (13-25)
4th Quarter: 1–11 (14-36)

Top Scorers
KSS
Teo Wan Yu (#9) – 7 points

NVSS
Lydia Ang Zi Yi (#7) – 19 points

KSS Roster
Chan Jia Xuan (#4), Alayna Tan (#5), Chen Lin (#6), Lee li Xuan Claire (#7), Tabitha Magendran (#8), Teo Wan Yu (#9), Nurul umi namirah (#10), Cheap Kang Yee (#11), Dalili Bte mohd Abbas (#12), Nur Maisarah Juraimi (#13), Sammi Chng (#14), Joey Tay (#15)

NVSS Roster
Nurul Haziqah (#0), Lim En Tong (#2), Joli Kweh Jia Qi (#5), Lydia Ang Zi Yi (#7), Long Yan Xi (#8), Charis Lum Yi En (#9), Ros Ellisyah Nur Umairah Binte Mohamed Aminudin (#12), Hazirah Bte Arifin (#14), Pansy Chua Wen Xin (#25), Grace Suganya D/O Arokiaraj (#28), Jasmine Wong (#35)

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