Catholic High clinch B Division South Zone basketball title with comprehensive win over Raffles Institution

By Ian Chew. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Yio Chu Kang Sports Complex, Tuesday, March 10, 2009 – At least the spectators had fun engaging in cheering bouts for their team as Catholic High beat Raffles Institution 84-47 to capture the South Zone Basketball Championship title. The Catholic High and Raffles Institution supporters took turns engaging each in some friendly banter and tit-for-tat celebrations at their team’s baskets.

But with Catholic High having already sewn up the game with a 30-point lead in the second quarter, it was all they could do to keep themselves occupied throughout the game.

Raffles Institution had endured a dreadful start to the game, trailing by as much as 2-15 in the first quarter. Perhaps it was also down to a successful zonal defense adopted by the Catholic High team, which disrupted the entire rhythm of the Gryphon’s offense.

On the other hand, Catholic High took high percentage shots both inside and outside the paint to lead in scoring. Catholic High centres Chong Ming Xuan and Goh Kong Tat opened the scoring for their team with good inside moves while forward Wong Kam Seng and guard Dominic Lim were spot on from the perimeter.

Wang Jia Cheng of Raffles tried shouldering the burden of his team’s entire offense at this time, but could find little help from his teammates. RI ended the first quarter staring at a 7-22 deficit.

The second quarter was to prove even more disastrous for the team in green. Misfiring on all quarters, including the free throw line, RI went down as much as 9-39 midway through to virtually surrender the game. Only a flurry of late baskets due to some Catholic High errors resulted in the Rafflesians managing to salvage some pride with a quarter-ending 7-6 run. Yet they were still staring at an unassailable 16-45 deficit at the half.

With a fresh full-court press in the third quarter, Raffles did manage to restrict the Catholic High onslaught somewhat. The Catholic High forwards were also guilty of squandering some of their fast break opportunities to manage a slender 21-16 advantage in the third.

But that halt in scoring proved temporary as the Raffles players ran out of steam in the fourth as several players could be seen clutching their feet in cramps. Catholic High quickly took advantage to build up their lead to 84-42.

Having seen enough, the Catholic High coach then sent his entire bench into the game with four minutes left on the clock. Catholic High eventually won the game 84-47.

Catholic High enjoyed a double boost as their captain Jabez Su was also named Most Valuable Player of the South Zone Championship.

Scoring by quarters:
First Quarter: CH 22 RI 7
Second Quarter: CH 23 RI 9
Third Quarter: CH 21 RI 16
Fourth Quarter: CH 18 RI 15

Top Scorers for the game:
CH #4 Jabez Su – 27 points
CH #22 Wong Kam Seng – 22 points
RI #8 Jordaan Goh – 13 points
RI #10 Wang Jia Cheng – 11 points

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJC7_zjiAYE

Editor's note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update accordingly. Thanks!