By REDintern Lim Yu-Han
Zi Yu (Unity #9) attempts a shot against Sharon (Dunman #8). Zi Yu poured in 16 points in the loss. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Jurong East Sports Hall, Thursday, April 18, 2013 — Dunman Secondary emerged triumphant in the final of the National B Division Girls Basketball Championship, beating Unity Secondary 63–53 in a game where they led all the way.
From the start, Unity set up their formidable full-court press which many opponents had fallen prey to previously. However, Dunman surprised Unity entirely by breaking their defence. Dunman’s Putri Nur Syazwani (#5) sunk in the first three to open the final and all it took was three long quick passes to ease the ball past the Unity defence.
Unity had unsuccessful conversions for the first two minutes until Jessah Marie Rara Torralba (#15) slotted in their first underbasket. However, Putri Nur Syazwani Bte S (#5) of Dunman replied quickly with her basline jumper.
Dunman’s pointguard Sharon Lee (#8) stunned the crowd with her agility and dribbling prowess, which saved her team from Unity’s full-court press many times as she single-handedly cut past several defenders. Despite Au Zi Yu (#9) scoring her foul-in to equalise 5–5 at seven minutes, Unity continued to miss many close shots under the basket. Putri (#5) of Dunman impressed onlookers with her second three-pointer within four minutes.
Unity fumbled constantly in their attacks, including several mispasses, whilst Dunman deftly handled the full-court press with powerful pivoting and systematic support for the one being double-teamed. Dunman’s Ungku Sofia Raihanah (#11) sent the crowd roaring with her three, and teammate Sharon (#8) decorated the feat with a consecutive three.
Unity’s inability to secure defensive rebounds saw majority of ball possession in Dunman’s hands. Despite Unity’s Zi Yu (#9) making one of her free throws count, Sharon (#8) sealed the quarter with a trey for Dunman to lead 23–10 at half time.
After struggling to find an opening, Rafizan Roslan (#7) of Dunman finally kickedstarted the second quarter with her underbasket. Unity’s Cheryl Ong (#10) responded immediately with her fastbreak and teammate Priscilla Wong (#5) pressed on with her swift three-pointer, narrowing the score difference to 10.
Dunman’s accurate and timely passes, coupled with their determination in holding fast to the defensive rebounds saw them gaining precious possession for attacks. Furthermore, their 3–2 zonal defence successfully restrained Unity’s attacks to mainly outside the three-point line where they struggled in converting their threes.
Unity’s Priscilla Wong (#5) finally sunk in a three at four minutes to their relief, but Nur Syafirah (#10) of Dunman came back with her own three. Unity lost out on free throw accuracy compared to Dunman, and trailed 22–34 with two minutes left in the second quarter. Dunman’s Ong Sin Kee (#6) sunk in both her free throws, but Zi Yu (#9) went on to secure her foul-in to score three points. Unity were left staring at an 18-point deficit at 25–43 when the quarter ended with another trey from Putri (#5) of Dunman.
The second half opened with Unity failing to attack within the 24-second shot clock, handing over possession to Dunman. Neither team scored for the first three minutes till Unity’s Cheryl (#10) put in the first free throw. Dunman’s solid zonal defence gave Unity little opportunity to even go near the paint.
Zi Yu (#9) of Unity successfully put in both free throws after calming herself, but Dunman’s Rafizan Roslan (#7) returned the favour with her own free throws. Despite Unity valiantly struggling to convert their baskets, most shots just spun off the ring to leave them trailing 31–50.
Dunman’s playmaker Sharon (#8) fell to the ground with a nasty leg cramp midway through the crucial last quarter. However, her return two minutes later made the crowd erupt in cheers. Torralba (#15) of Unity converted an open shot, but fouled out half a second later. Teammate Zi Yu (#9) finally succeeded with her three-pointer to trim Dunman’s lead down to seven at 60–53. However, Dunman’s Aqidah (#12) sealed Unity’s fate with her two free throws to end the game 63–53 to capture the championship title.
Sharon (#8), the Dunman pointguard, was ecstatic. She had an all-around game with many steals and defensive stops, and was the key play maker for Dunman’s offence.
She said: “It started off well, especially in breaking Unity’s full-court press. I am so happy and proud of my juniors! Despite my juniors being nervous in their first national final, I am surprised they managed to step up and perform at the most important stage.”
“Thank you coaches and teachers who supported us throughout the season!” She added gratefully.
Unity’s captain, Zi Yu (#9), was disappointed. She said: “We didn’t score a lot in the first quarter, lost too many balls and missed countless open shots. We tried hard and worked hard but still couldn’t convert … this is my last year playing basketball for Unity.”
Score by Quarter
Dunman vs Unity
1st Quarter: 23–10
2nd Quarter: 20–15 (43–25)
3rd Quarter: 7–6 (50–31)
4th Quarter: 13–22 (63–53)
Top Scorers
Dunman
Putri Nur Syazwani Bte S (#5) — 17 points (4 x 3 pointers)
Nur Syafirah (#10) — 13 points (2 x 3 pointers)
Sharon Lee Mi Yun (#8) — 11 points (2 x 3 pointers)
Unity
Au Zi Yu (#9) — 16 points (1 x 3 pointers)
Priscilla Wong Ting Hui (#5) — 10 points (2 x 3 pointers)
Dunman Secondary Roster
Christin Teo Qi Shan (#4), Putri Nur Syazwani Bte S (#5), Ong Sin Kee (#6), Rafizan Roslan (#7), Sharon Lee Mi Yun (#8), Ee Kaye Lin Tanya (#9), Nur Syafirah (#10), Ungku Sofia Raihanah Bte U A (#11), Nur Aqidah Bte Abdul Latiff (#12), Nur Emiliati Bte Ibrahim (#13), Nur Adlina Bte Ismail (#14), Pearlynn Yeo Mei Xin (#15)
Unity Roster
Yeo Ci Yuan Rachel (#4), Priscilla Wong Ting Hui (#5), Lee Jia Yi (#6), Maisarah Bte Mohammad Sauki (#7), Eliya Sabrina Bte Suhaimi (#8), Au Zi Yu (#9), Cheryl Ong Ying Qi (#10), Chia Siu Wei (#11), Musrifah Fadzlia Bte Masiran (#12), Lim Xiang Xuan (#13), Ng Xin Yi (#14), Torralba Jessah Marie Rara (#15)
2013 National B Division Girls Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
More photos next page
Leave A Comment