By REDintern Tay Jun Wen
Lakksman (#13) of Ahmad Ibrahim goes up for two against Presbyterian High. The centre scored a game-high 15 points. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, February 27, 2013 – Presbyterian High defeated Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary 60-40 in their final Round 2 game of the North Zone B Boys’ Basketball Championship.
With both teams already through to the semi-finals before tip off, it was a game to decide the group winner.
Presbyterian High also took the chance to constantly substitute their entire team at one go during the game.
“We let the juniors gain experience in this game. The juniors responded well and did quite well,” said Presbyterian High’s vice-captain, Jonas Tay (#7).
The top scorer for the game was Ahmad Ibrahim’s Lakksman S/O Ganapathy (#13) with 15 points. Presbyterian High’s Lin Shengxiang (#9) was just behind by a point with 14.
It was a tight first quarter, with both teams equally matched in most aspects. Presbyterian led 13-5 initially but Ahmad Ibrahim caught up to take a two-point, 15-13 lead. Both teams were all square at 17-17 after the first 10 minutes.
The second quarter saw Ahmad Ibrahim take a three-point lead at 20-17. It turned out to be the only points gained in the second quarter by Ahmad Ibrahim. Presbyterian High went on a 12-0 scoring run to lead 32-20 heading into the half.
Presbyterian High kept their offensive pace in the third quarter but Ahmad Ibrahim were also putting up a good fight. Ahmad Ibrahim’s efforts saw them outscore Presbyterian High 16-11 in the third quarter but Presbyterian High still led by 7 points (43-36).
Ahmad Ibrahim’s captain, Nikos Go (#12), said: “Our main 5 players did relatively okay. Our reserve team has to work harder.”
Presbyterian High pulled away from Ahmad Ibrahim in the final quarter, outscoring Ahmad Ibrahim 17-4 to win the game by 20 points at 60-40.
Keith Chua (#5), Presbyterian High’s captain, said: “We need to communicate more in our defense and run back more.”
For Ahmad Ibrahim, reaching the semi-finals is a bonus.
Their vice-captain, Akhigbe Aigbokhaivbho Ikhide (#8), said: “Initially, our aim was to reach Round 2 of the competition. We have definitely met our aim. Being able to advance into the semi-finals is definitely a big achievement for us.”
Ahmad Ibrahim will take on Canberra Secondary in one semi-final while Presbyterian High will play defending champions North Vista Secondary in the other. Both games will be played at the same time on Monday, March 4th, at Singapore Basketball Centre. Tip off is at 2.30pm.
Score by Quarter
Presbyterian High vs Ahmad Ibrahim
1st Q: 17-17
2nd Q: 15-3 (32-20)
3rd Q: 11-16 (43-36)
4th Q: 17-4 (60-40)
Top Scorers
Presbyterian High
Lin Shengxiang (#9) – 14 points
Lim Zhi Cong (#12) – 12 points
Ahmad Ibrahim
Lakksman S/O Ganapathy (#13) – 15 points
Choo Yi Zhao (#5) – 10 points
Presbyterian High Roster
Liau Li Jiang (#4), Keith Chua Song Lin (#5), Tan Ejin (#6), Tay Zhi Kang Jonas (#7), Tng Zhi Cai (#8), Lin Shengxiang (#9), Wong Zhong Han (#10), Lee Wee Jin Dylan (#11), Lim Zhi Cong (#12), Kiri Ng Yong Wen (#13), Abel Lim Han Yang (#14), Ng Huai Xi Nigel (#15)
Ahmad Ibrahim Roster
Samuel Ang Wee Teck (#4), Choo Yi Zhao (#5), Lau Beng Yew (#6), Benedict Oh Sheng Yang (#7), Akhigbe Aigbokhaivbho Ikhide (#8), Leong Jun Yuan (#9), Cohen Chong (#10), Wee Zhi Ming (#11), Go Yun Liang Nikos (#12), Lakksman S/O Ganapathy (#13), Cuison John Michael Diaz (#14), Wong Chee Kian (#15)
2013 North Zone B Division Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
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