Presbyterian High outclass Maris Stella High in B Division North Zone basketball

Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Pictures by REDintern Kenneth Chia.

Singapore Basketball Centre, Thursday, February 12, 2009 - Presbyterian High, who last won the B Division National Basketball Championship title in 2003, won their fourth game in a row with a 50-36 victory over Maris Stella High.

Russel Low (PHS #5) was a big factor in the victory with an impressive 26 points. His 1.93m frame allowed him to snatch the most rebounds and blocked several key shots by Maris Stella.

Both teams came into this game with identical perfect 3-wins-0-losses records with top position in Group A up for grabs.

Presbyterian High won the tip-off with Russel Low (PHS #5) and it did not take too long for the first points from Presbyterian High with Yao Ming (PHS #8) scoring a 3-pointer. Maris Stella captain Jervin Lim (MSH #10) answered with a lay-up for his team’s first two points and after a beautiful build-up play with accurate passing, Samuel Yeo (MSH #7) drained a huge 3-pointer.

With 3:55 to go in the first quarter, Presbyterian High coach called for a time-out with to change their game plan.

Things got better for Presbyterian and Russel Low (PHS #5) continued to control the offensive board. An intense Prebyterian High defense forced a series of Maris Stella errors leading to turnovers.

The Maris Stella High coach did not like his team's performance and demanded that they turn on the heat. Shervin Lim (MSH #11) responded with a drive to the basket and made a fouled shot. With 50 seconds left, Maris Stella managed to take the lead for the first time and walked off 8-7 ahead at the end of the first quarter. 

As confidence built up, Maris Stella began the second quarter strongly. But they were no match for Russel's (PHS #5) physique. He made his presence felt in the paint as he towered past with six points in the second quarter and put on a good defensive show with a couple of blocks. Presbyterian took over the lead when Jun Jie (PHS #11) scored two consecutive shots within a space of a minute.

With 1:06 left in the second quarter, Maris Stella coach made an effort to talk to the team with a crucial timeout. However, the highest lead for Presbyterian stretched to eight points by the end of the second quarter and Presbyterian High led 22-14 at half-time.

In the third quarter, both teams got off to a nervous start. Both sides committed a few turnovers but it was Maris Stella who drew first blood. Jervin Lim (MSH #10) made a shot from range but Russel (PHS #5), responded with six consecutive points. Presbyterian reached their highest lead of 16 points as Maris Stella failed to recover from their errors and lapsed defending. Presbyterian commanded the third quarter 34-18.

Maris Stella showed true grit and determination for the final quarter as they got off to a flying start with a 5-0 run. Jonas Tok (MSH #12) reduced the deficit soon after he made a 3-pointer but they still trailed 26-34.

Presbyterian's lead was cut to six points after Samuel Yeo (MSH #7) made two successive shots. With 3:40 left in the final quarter, the Presbyterian High coach requested a timeout to sort things out while Maris Stella High coach wanted his team to focus and attack the basket confidently.

Russel (PHS #5) reacted to his coach's motivational words and hit another eight points in a row. Presbyterian High extended their lead to 12 points as no one from Maris Stella was able to stop Russel (PHS #5) from getting into the paint to ensure a final 50-36 victory.

Match Statistics:

Scores by quarter
1st Q: PHS  7  -  MSH  8
2nd Q: PHS  22  -  MSH  14
3rd Q: PHS  34  -  MSH  18
4th Q: PHS  50  -  MSH  36

Highest lead
PHS  -  16 points
MSH  -  3 points

Top scorer
PHS
Russel (#5)  -  26 points
Bing Yao (#6)  -  8 points

MSH
Jervin Lim (#10)  -  10 points
Samuel Yeo (#7)  -  7 points
Jonus Tok (#12)  -  7 points