Woodgrove Secondary defeat Anderson in girls' B Division North Zone basketball

Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, February 16, 2009 - The twin towers of Woodgrove Secondary conquered Anderson Secondary 45-31 in the girls' B Division North Zone Basketball Championship.

The Woodgrove twin towers, Erra (WGS #12) and Shamirah (WGS #15), combined for a total of 19 points and numerous important rebounds in this Group Y game. Huimin (WGS #7) also got on the scoring board with a massive 17-point contribution.

The match began with Anderson getting on the score sheet. Kun Yan (AND #10) drove to the basket on two successive attempts as Woodgrove failed to block her out. Not long after, Woodgrove turned on the heat and went on an 8-0 run.

Woodgrove increased their lead to five points after Huixian (WGS #9) made the first 3-pointer of the game. With slick passing around the court, Woodgrove pried open the Anderson's defense. That allowed Woodgrove to run riot and take their largest lead of seven points. The Woodgrove twin towers supplied eight points in the first quarter.

Anderson matched up with Kai Ting (#14) and Kun Yan (#10) adding vital points and Woodgrove's lead was cut to two points by the end of the quarter at 13-15.

Both sides got off to a slow start in the second quarter but it was Woodgrove that emerged the strongest. They capitalized on Anderson's turnovers and dominated the paint with Erra (WGS, #12) and Shamirah (WGS #15) a constant threat for second chance points.

Anderson had their top performing player Kun Yan (AND #10) on four personal foul and she had to sit out for the rest of the second quarter. Without her, Anderson had no answers to Woodgrove's attacking plays and Woodgrove walked off at half-time leading 25-18.

For the third quarter, both sides were slow to recover from the half-time break but it was the twin towers provided the first points for Woodgrove. The score then stood frozen at 29-18 for most of the third quarter and both teams came to life only towards the end of the third quarter.

Woodgrove started the fourth quarter leading 33-23 and the scoring battle was a face-off between Shirlene Lee (AND #11) and Huimin (WGS #7) as they added six and 10 points for their teams respectively. The Woodgrove lead was extended to 12 points after three consecutive shots by Huimin (WGS #7). Shirlene Lee (AND #11) tried to spur her side on but it was all too much for Anderson.

With 3:00 left, Woodgrove led 43-29 as no one was able to stop Huimin (WGS #7) from penetrating Anderson's defense line. The match ended with Woodgrove a convincing 45-31 winner.

With the win, Woodgrove finished top of the group with Anderson in second place. Both qualify for the next round of the championship.

Match Statistics:
Points by quarter
1st Q: AND 13 - WGS 15
2nd Q: AND 18 - WGS 25
3rd Q: AND 23 - WGS 33
4th Q: AND 31 - WGS 45

Top Scorers
AND
Kun Yan (#10) - 10 points
Shirlene Lee (#11) - 6 points
Kai Ting (#14) - 6 points

WGS
Huimin (#7) - 17 points
Shamirah (#15) - 11 points

N.B. If you know the names of the players featured, feel free to let us know in the comments section. Thanks.