Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Zachary Gan (DHS #11) drives all the way in for the game-winning shot. He also had a game-high 14 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Wednesday, March 29, 2017 — Dunman High School (DHS) came up clutch down the stretch against Christ Church Secondary (CC) to take the game 44-43 in the quarter-finals of the National B Division Basketball Championship.
With this win, Dunman High have a 3-1 win-loss record and will play against Presbyterian High next.
On the other hand, Christ Church got handed their first loss of the Nationals and currently holds a win-loss record of 3-1 as well. They will play against Jurong West next.
Dunman High got the tip at the start and after a few quick passes, Jonathan Goh (DHS #7) got a clean look and made the open three to start the game.
Christ Church answered by driving in and dishing it to the cutting center for the easy under-basket shot.
Dunman High made another three point shot but got cold from three point range after that.
Christ Church upped their defensive intensity and forced several turnovers off Dunman High. Despite that, they were not able to convert on their fast-break opportunities due to good transition defense played by Dunman High.
Lin Kai Yao (CC #24) made Christ Church’s first three point shot to give Christ Church the lead.
Christ Church outscored Dunman High 14-10 in the first quarter.
Within the first minute of the second quarter, Dunman High’s Kinczel Tan (DHS #8) made a three followed by another from Zachary Gan (DHS #11) to quickly get in front with the two point lead.
As Dunman High scored once again with a simple pass and cut play, Christ Church’s Lin Kai Yao (CC #24) got a steal on the ensuing play to prevent Dunman High from extending their lead. He went on to convert that into fast-break points to cut the lead.
Pan Ming Hui (CC #22) then went for a quick transition two to tie things up at 18 points each.
However, Dunman High went on a 7-0 run with Darren Pay (DHS #6) beating the buzzer with a three point shot to give them the 25-18 lead at the half.
Christ Church started the third quarter strong. They went on a 6-0 run to cut Dunman High’s lead to one.
Their defense also forced several turnovers in the third as Dunman High started to fumble on several plays.
However Christ Church were not able to capitalize on the fast-break opportunities due to good transition defense from Dunman High.
Dunman High were up 32-26 by the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, Christ Church continued to do well on the defensive end to force turnovers. They converted these turnovers into fast-break points as they caught up to Dunman High.
Both teams played furiously in attempt to win with neither side letting up as they continued to trade baskets.
Eugene Junior (CC #23) got fouled as he drove in for the layup. While he had made the first and missed the second free-throw, Christ Church managed to out-hustle Dunman High to get the offensive put-back. This gave Christ Church the two point lead.
Unfazed, Zachary Gan (DHS #11) answered with a clutch three point shot to give Dunman high the one point lead.
With time winding down, Christ Church managed to forced yet another turnover and Eugene Junior (CC #23) went coast to coast for the tough reverse to give Christ Church the lead back.
With 15 seconds left to play, Dunman High called a time-out to come up with a plan.
Dunman High came into the game ready and were able to execute according to plan. With shooters in their line-up, Christ Church’s defense had to commit to prevent Dunman High from shooting the three. Just like they planned, Zachary Gan (DHS #11) got free of his defender with a simple screen and drove all the way in for the clutch basket to get the one point lead.
With seven seconds left to play, Christ Church drew up a play to get Eugene Junior (CC #23) to shoot the three.
However, Zachary Gan (DHS #11) once again made the clutch play by blocking the shot taken by Eugene Junior (CC #23).
Dunman High went on to take the game 44-43.
Zachary Gan (DHS #11) of Dunman High said, “I was very nervous. I was afraid to lose. With just fifteen seconds left, I had to capitalize on the play that was drew up for me which I did. It was a lucky break for me as I happen to be in the right place at the right time to block the shot also.”
“I think we scored quite a few threes which was good. But we didn’t defend well and they got quite a few rebounds. We also had silly turnovers from bad passes”
“I hope we can try our best to win the next two matches to advance into the semifinals.”
Scoring by Quarter
Dunman High vs Christ Church
1st Q: 10-14
2nd Q: 15-4 (25-18)
3rd Q: 7-8 (32-26)
4th Q: 12-17 (44-43)
Top Scorers
Dunman High
Zachary Gan (#11) – 14 pts
Kinczel Tan (#8) – 10 pts
Christ Church
Pan Ming Hui (#22) – 11 pts
Eugene Junior (#23) – 10 pts
Dunman High School Roster
Matthew Ho (#4), Avner Tan (#5), Darren Pay (#6), Jonathan Goh (#7), Kinczel Tan (#8), Nicholas Soh (#9), Colin Ho (#10), Zachary Gan (#11), Leong Ee Hao (#12), Jovan Teong (#13), Huang Shun (#14), Yong Wei (#15)
Christ Church Roster
Wong Yi Dian (#20), Jason Soh (#21), Pan Ming Hui (#22), Eugene Junior (#23), Lin Kai Yao (#24), Oscar Ong (#28), Lee Looi Yen (#29), Lee De En (#30), Rico Liu (#31), Ernest Kwek (#32), Yeo Yuan Jun (#33), Jonathan Gue (#34)
More photos next page
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