By Joseph Lee/Red Sports
Nicholas Tay (NV #6) taking an open shot under the basket during a fast break. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, February 25, 2015 — North Vista Secondary (NV) will make their fifth consecutive final of the North Zone B Division Basketball Championship after beating North Zone newcomers Catholic High (CH) 73–39 in the semi-final.
Catholic High previously belonged to the South Zone, and were transferred to the North Zone after a reshuffling of schools.
North Vista came rushing out in the first quarter to take an early lead and did not look back from then on. The score was tied at four apiece before North Vista went on an 11–3 run to finish the first quarter, thanks to the hustle North Vista displayed with their full court defensive press which allowed them to get steals, interceptions and fast breaks.
North Vista were not complacent as they continued to apply pressure and extend their lead. By the end of the third quarter, they had extended their lead to 34 points.
In the fourth quarter, Catholic High tried to counter North Vista’s defensive press by doing likewise. This caught North Vista off-guard as the players could not react to the pressure, causing them to lose a few possessions while bringing the ball up the court. The quarter saw Catholic High spring back to life with the confidence gained after converting several fast break attempts.
Even after a great showing and matching North Vista point for point in the final quarter, it did not do much to the eventual outcome of the match. North Vista won 73–39, booking their spot in the final for the fifth consecutive year.
They will face Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary in the final after the latter beat Edgefield Secondary 77–54 in the other semi-final match. It will be a rematch of the second round game which saw Ahmad Ibrahim beat North Vista by a mere five points.
When asked about their tactics when facing Ahmad Ibrahim, the North Vista boys said it was a secret.
The final will be played at 1 p.m. on March 2. Catholic High will face Edgefield in the 3rd/4th playoff match at 1 p.m. on February 27. Both games will be played at the Singapore Basketball Centre.
Score by Quarter
Catholic High vs North Vista
1st Quarter: 15–7
2nd Quarter: 18–5 (33–12)
3rd Quarter: 18–5 (51–17)
4th Quarter: 22–22 (73–39)
Top Scorers
North Vista
Sim Xuan (#8) – 25 points (5 x 3-pointers)
Sim Zhen (#13) – 13 points
Catholic High
Soh Christian Darryl (#9) – 11 points
North Vista Roster
Christian Co Pepito (#4), Clement Sim Han Xiang (#5), Nicholas Tay Zhi Kang (#6), Cheng Ye Hui (#7), Sim Xuan (#8), Ong Yan Zhi Darius (#9), Low Jia Jun, Fabian (#10), Cletus Ng Kai Jun (#11), Lim Zhi Kang (#12), Sim Zhen (#13), Lim Joe Yang (#14), Tiong Chuan Yao (#15)
Catholic High Roster
Travis Thong Yu Heng (#4), Wong Wei Jin Justin (#5), Chan Choon Leng (#6), Fan Yao En (#7), Hu Zhichang (#8), Soh Christian Darryl (#9), Marcus Chang Hin Yi (#10), Ng Koon Wei, Lloyd (#11), Teh Jie Ren (#12), Chia Ming Feng Fabian (#13), Jay Edward Goh Wei Wern (#14), Png Boon Kiat, Keith (#15)
North Zone B Division Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
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