Story by REDintern Emer Hoong. Photos by Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports.

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Charmaine Koh (RI #13) scored 14 points in the game and was also named MVP. (Photo 1 © Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports)

Jurong East Sports Complex, Friday, May 20, 2016 — Raffles Institution (RI) ended the season without dropping a single game when they beat Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) 48-33 to clinch the National A Division Girls Basketball Championship.

Choo Jie Ying (RI #8) had a game-high 21 points and Charmaine Koh (RI #13) was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The RI boys completed the A Division double for the school – RI’s first since 2000 – when they secured a 69-53 victory over Pioneer Junior College later in the afternoon.

This is RI’s second A Division girls’ title in five years, after last winning in 2012. Before that, their last title triumph was in 2006.

HCI had beaten Dunman High 56-31 in the semi-final while RI had seen off Victoria Junior College 57-14.

“We worked very hard and all the tough trainings paid off. Our fighting spirit was strong until the end. We remained humble despite having not lost a single game and I think this mentality has really helped us push through and clinch the championship,” said RI captain, Bernice Yeo (RI #4).

“We are also very grateful for all support from our parents, school, teachers in charge and coach. I am very proud of my team and all that we’ve achieved, even though it was a very tough opponent that played aggressively, we persevered on. Finally, I would like to thank Hwa Chong for a very good fight,” she added.

At the six-minute mark of the 1st quarter, RI had a 6-2 lead. RI made it difficult for HCI to bring the ball up the court, and pulled away to lead 17-6 by the end of the first quarter.

RI maintained their lead easily in the second quarter. At the six-minute mark, they led 19-6. Both teams traded baskets for the next minute to make it 23-10 with three minutes left. The HCI players fought back hard, but their shots were not falling. The quarter ended with RI in the lead at 26-14.

RI quickly took charge of the third quarter. Two minutes into the quarter, RI extended their lead to 16 points (30-14). HCI made some mistakes and RI capitalised on every mistake and converted them into points.

RI continued to hold HCI scoreless and five minutes into the quarter, they extended their lead to 20 points at 34-14. HCI found some momentum, matching RI point for point at 9-9 for the rest of the quarter but they still trailed 23-42 heading into the final quarter.

The scoring slowed down in the last quarter. By the six-minute mark, HCI had outscored RI 5-2 but RI still led 44-28.

HCI made it hard for RI to bring the ball up the court and they struggled to score. HCI eventually managed to outscore RI 10-6 in the quarter but it was not enough to close the deficit.

Score By Quarter
HCI vs RI
1st Q: 6-17
2nd Q: 8-9 (14-26)
3rd Q: 9-16 (23-42)
4th Q: 10-6 (33-48)

Top Scorers
RI
Choo Jie Ying (#8) – 21 points
Charmaine Koh Xuan Min (#13) – 14 points

HCI
Natasha Ng Zi Qi (#13) – 8 points

RI roster
Bernice Yeo Yin Siew (#4), Stephanie Ler (#5), Racheal Mok Wae Ean (#6), Carisia Lee (#7), Choo Jie Ying (#8), Sophia Isabelle Ang (#9), Adelia Gan (#10), Shang Mengge (#11), Lin Yi Han (#12), Charmaine Koh Xuan Min (#13), Sevilla Chea Wei La (#14)

HCI Roster
Sheryl Ng Xue Qi (#4), Boon Jiahwee (#5), Chloe YingYun Yan (#6), Oor YuWen (#8), Soon Wei Wen (#9), Tan Xinyi (#10), Dalini Rajandhran (#11), Lim Boon Yee (#12), Natasha Ng Zi Qi (#13), Tan Liwen (#14), Chloe Tan Xinyi (#15)

National A Division Girls Basketball Championship – fixtures and results

More photos next page