Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Cassidy Wong (SMSS #16) tries to get the ball into the post. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Friday, March 23, 2018 — St. Margaret’s Secondary School (SMSS) played steadily throughout the game to claim a 31-20 victory over Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School (AISS) in the preliminary round of the National B Divison Girls’ Basketball Championship.
With this victory, St. Margaret’s end their season with a 1-2 win-loss record while Ahmad Ibrahim end theirs with a 0-3 record.
Last game of their season, both teams came in with the mentality to give everything they had. Chloe Toh (AISS #15) scored the first basket of the game after hustling for an offensive board for the put-back. Ahmad Ibrahim scored two straight baskets to gain a four-point lead.
However, St. Margaret’s were not about to let up easily, they fought hard and both teams traded baskets in the first half. Faith Koh (SMSS #12) made a layup to end the first half to put St. Margaret’s up 12-11.
Using the momentum from the last basket, St. Margaret’s made use of their size and length to score in the second half. They consistently maintained their lead with Regine Ng (SMSS #06) leading the charge. She had a game-high 10 points.
“We managed to do well in our defense today, we went back on our defense to prevent easy transition baskets by Ahmad Ibrahim.” said vice captain Jessalyn Neo who did not play due to an injury.
She added, “The team have done a great job and I hope the juniors will work harder and advance farther next year.”
St. Margaret’s went on to play stifling defense in the fourth quarter to win the game 31-20.
Ahmad Ibrahim’s captain, Marilyn Yap Shu Shan (AISS #8) commented after the game, “We managed to look more towards the interior and get chances for the centers. We moved the ball well today also but we can be better in terms of defense and have to get sharper in our shots. Although we did not reach our goal in the national, we did our best and I am proud of the way we played. I hope they can come back stronger and get farther next year.”
Scoring by Quarters
St. Margaret’s vs Ahmad Ibrahim
1st Q: 8-7
2nd Q: 4-4 (12-11)
3rd Q: 10-7 (22-18)
4th Q: 9-2 (31-20)
Top Scorers
St. Margaret’s
Ng Regine (#06) – 10 pts
Cassidy Wong (#16) – 9 pts
Ahmad Ibrahim
Marilyn Yap Shu Shan (#8) – 5 pts
Eunice Koh Shu Ning (#6) – 4 pts
Chloe Toh (#15) – 4 pts
St. Margaret’s Roster
Shanelle Selvakumar (#05), Ng Regine (#06), Heather Neo (#08), Emma Sudharman (#09), Wong Yew Ling (#10), Seah Wan Ni (#11), Faith Koh (#12), Cassidy Wong (#16), Amelia Foo (#17), Jean Tan (#28), Wan Li Xin Yuan (#88), Achelle Sim (#93)
Ahmad Ibrahim Roster
Dania Ervianny Nah Wei Lin (#4), Nur Asyura (#5), Eunice Koh Shu Ning (#6), Jing Yi (#7), Marilyn Yap Shu Shan (#8), Nur Hairunnishah (#9), Damia Tarisyah (#10), Eunice Tan (#13), Chloe Toh (#15), Marilene Ang Jia Xin (#24), Chang Wai Chain (#25), Caren Chia Jia En (#49)
More photos next page
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