National A Div Bball: CJC end season with 45–40 win over ACS(I)

By Clara Yuan/Red Sports

Shi Jun (CJC #8) shoots the ball against Siddhart (#12) of ACS(I). (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, April 30, 2015 — Catholic Junior College (CJC) beat Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) [ACS(I)] 45–40 in the first round of the National A Division Boys Basketball Championship.

With this win, CJC concluded their season with a 1–4 win-loss record while ACS(I) have lost all five games. Both teams did not qualify for the second round of the tournament.

Shi Jun (#8) of CJC led his team with 16 points while (#10) of ACS(I) scored a game-high 23 points.

Both teams appeared to be evenly-matched in the first quarter. (#10) of ACS(I) helmed his team’s offence, going on strong drives with good finishing to register nine points in the first quarter alone. However, CJC led 14–11 at the end of the quarter.

Three minutes into the second quarter, (#12) and (#10) added two points each onto the scoreboard to allow ACS(I) to take a 15–14 lead. Qin Zhe (#10) responded with a lay-up which helped put CJC up 16–15.

From then on, CJC never looked back. CJC went on a 9–1 scoring run to extend their lead 25–16 going into the half-time break.

The third quarter saw ACS(I) stepping up on their offensive plays in an attempt to narrow the deficit. However, CJC’s strong defensive efforts and good teamwork enabled them to hold on to a comfortable 37–24 lead.

Despite trailing 24–37, ACS(I) never gave up. (#10) and (#12) of ACS(I) led the scoring for their team, capitalizing on fast breaks. Their efforts paid off as the deficit was narrowed to three points (40–43) with 11 seconds left.

ACS(I)’s desperation caused them to make costly mistakes in the last seconds of the game. This led to free throws awarded to CJC, which dashed their hopes of a late comeback win. CJC eventually concluded their season with a 45–40 win.

CJC captain, Ming Yao (#9), said, “The first half of the game was quite okay because we had a streak going. However, in the second half, we slacked off on our defence. Though our team did not communicate much throughout the season, but we managed to remind each other of our mistakes before the games.”

Scoring by quarter
CJC vs ACS(I)
1st Quarter: 14–11
2nd Quarter: 11–5 (25–16)
3rd Quarter: 12–8 (37–24)
4th Quarter: 8–16 (45–40)

Top scorers
CJC
Shi Jun (#8) – 16 points (2 x 3-pointer)
Qin Zhe (#10) – 9 points

ACS(I)
(#10) – 23 points (1 x 3-pointer)
(#12) – 12 points

CJC Roster
Yew Teng (#4), Merrick (#5), Jonathan (#6), Tian Wait (#7), Shi Jun (#8), Ming Yao (#9), Qin Zhe (#10), Fabian (#11), Gerald (#12), Yu Long (#13), Daniel (#14), Liu Di (#15)

ACS(I) Roster
Arshad (#4), Kreston Ang (#5), Ting Yen (#6), Mickey (#7), Sung Hyun (#8), Phyo Han (#9), William (#10), Li He (#11), Siddhart (#12), Ryan Lim (#13), Xuan You (#14), Tae Young (#15)

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