By Rachel Yip/Red Sports
Ng Wei Hong (#11) of Westwood probes the Hillgrove defence. He finished with a game-high 20 points in the losing effort. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, July 16, 2012 – Hillgrove Secondary edged out Westwood Secondary in a tight game to win 43-42 in the second round of the West Zone C Division Boys’ Basketball Championship.
The win gives Hillgrove a 2-1 win-loss record for Round 2, their sole loss coming against New Town Secondary. On the other hand, Westwood have lost all of their three games so far.
The game was a close affair with both teams evenly matched. Hillgrove drew first blood by taking an early 9-7 first-quarter lead. Hillgrove’s Javier Ang (#10) used his height advantage, catching many rebounds and converting the second-chance shots.
The tide turned in the second quarter, with Westwood picking up their game. Lax defending by Hillgrove allowed Westwood to gain a five-point lead to lead 19-14.
Westwood maintained their five-point lead in the third quarter, with them going into the last quarter up 32-27.
The game got tense in the last quarter as Hillgrove came out fighting. Hillgrove’s attack, led by Javier Ang (#10) and captain Gary Ng (#4), put in four points to reduce the deficit to 31-32. Westwood committed many fouls and allowed Hillgrove to have the upper hand to lead 35-32.
Westwood did not gone down without a fight though. In the last minute of the final quarter, Westwood wrenched back the lead to lead 40-39.
With 26 seconds left on the clock, Hillgrove’s Gary Ng (#4) sunk a two-pointer for his team to have a slight 41-40 lead.
Westwood came back with Ng Wei Hong (#11) putting in two points to take a 42-41 lead.
The lead swung back into Hillgrove’s hands again when Javier sank another two points for them to lead 43-42.
With 12 seconds left on the clock, Westwood had a throw in from the mid-court. Westwood knew that they had to convert this play in order to win.
However, Westwood’s Chai Zhi Xun (#6) threw the ball into the hands of Hillgrove’s Lim Junjie (#5) and Hillgrove used the remaining time to hold on to the ball, eventually holding on for a 43-42 win to end a pulsating final quarter.
Westwood’s Ng Wei Hong (#11) quick runs and accuracy at the basket earned him a game-high 20 points. However, it was not enough to prevent the defeat. Hillgrove’s Javier sank a team-high 15 points.
Hillgrove captain Gary Ng was visibly pleased with the win.
“We played well. Even though we were losing, we did not give up,” Gary said.
Hillgrove will aim to keep up their winning run in their next game, but will face tough competition from the unbeaten Bukit Panjang Government High.
Westwood will try to win their first game when they meet Nan Hua High next. Both games will be held on Wednesday, July 18th at Clementi Sports Hall.
Score by Quarter
Hillgrove vs Westwood
1st Q: 9-7
2nd Q: 5-12 (14-19)
3rd Q: 13-13 (27-32)
4th Q: 16-10
Final score: 43-42
Top scorers
Hillgrove
Javier Ang Kun Teng (#10) – 15 points
Gary Ng Jing Kai (#4) – 13 points
Tan Zhi En (#7) – 11 points
Westwood
Ng Wei Hong (#11) – 20 points
Brandon Law Jun Hong (#12) – 10 points
Wee Ying Heng (#14) – 6 points
Hillgrove Roster
Gary Ng Jing Kai (#4), Lim Junjie (#5), Tay Ban Lee (#6), Tan Zhi En (#7), Lim Chang Hui (#8), Tan Zhi Kai (#9), Javier Ang Kun Teng (#10), Lee Guan Rong (#11), Stanley Soh Koon Siang (#12), Jared Ng Wen Sheng (#14), Kelvin Oh (#15)
Westwood Roster
Yann Yip (#4), Ho Jian Rong (#5), Chai Zhi Xun (#6), Koh Jun Wei (#7), Darren Wong (#8), Ryan Lau (#9), Ng Pei Hao (#10), Ng Wei Hong (#11), Brandon Law Jun Hong (#12), Goh Poh Seng (#13), Wee Ying Heng (#14), Patnala Revanth (#15)
West Zone C Division Basketball Championship — full fixtures and results
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