Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Vernen Lim (HC #35) protects the ball as he goes for the layup. He had a game-high 16 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Thursday, April 13, 2017 — Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) made use of their defense to take down Catholic Junior College (CJC) 67-27 in the National A Division Basketball Championship.
With this win, Hwa Chong improve to a 2-1 win-loss record. They secured a win against Yishun Junior College (YJC) but lost to Anderson Junior College (AJC) previously. They will be up against Eunoia Junior College (EJC) next.
CJC drop to a 2-1 record after defeating both Victoria Junior College and EJC previously. They will play against AJC next.
Hwa Chong started off the game with a steal and score by Travis Thong (HC #0). Vernen Lim (HC #35) added to that with a three-point shot as Hwa Chong quickly led by five. Hwa Chong played good defense to prevent CJC from making easy baskets.
Luke Cheong (CJC #55) made the first basket for CJC after getting the offensive rebound and making the shot.
However, Hwa Chong continued to play well on the defensive end to limit CJC’s scoring while they converted on their own shots. This allowed Hwa Chong to outscore CJC 16-9 in the first quarter.
Chua Qiwei (HCI #4) made a jumper to start the second quarter but CJC played good defense and went on a 9-0 run to tie things up at 18.
Unfazed by CJC’s sudden scoring streak, Hwa Chong continued playing defense and managed to stop CJC’s offense once again while scoring eight straight points to end the quarter. Hwa Chong were up 26-18 at the half.
Hwa Chong continued their stellar defensive performance to limit CJC’s scoring to just one in the third while scoring nine of their own.
Going into the fourth, CJC were down 16 points. While it was not impossible for CJC to close the gap, Hwa Chong put the pedal to the metal and erased all hopes for CJC.
Vernen Lim (HC #35) led the charge with a game-high 16 points as Hwa Chong scored 32 points in the last quarter to take the game 67-27.
Hwa Chong’s captain, Brandon Wu (HC #9), commented, “I feel that Catholic Junior College played quite a good game. They hustled a lot on both defense and offense. As for us, we put in a lot of effort on our defensive end but it is still very inconsistent. We also have to work on our offense. For now, I just hope that we can continue this good momentum and play good defense for our future games.”
Scoring by Quarter
Hwa Chong vs CJC
1st Q: 16-09
2nd Q: 10-09 (26-18)
3rd Q: 09-01 (35-19)
4th Q: 32-08 (67-27)
Top Scorers
Hwa Chong
Vernen Lim (#35) – 16 pts
Wei Yongxi (#1) – 10 pts
CJC
Hoo Jinh Wan (#5) – 5 pts
Mark Biju George (#6) – 5 pts
Luke Cheong (#55) – 5 pts
Glendon Goh (#99) – 5 pts
Hwa Chong Roster
Travis Thong (#0), Wei Yongxi (#1), Lloyd Ng (#2), Chua Qiwei (#4), Brandon Wu (#9), Sheng Kiat (#10), Shaune Ang (#11), Shengwei (#13), Lee Yue Han (#15), Keith Png (#17), Greg G Tan (#32), Vernen Lim (#35), Ray (#54), Kenneth Koh (#69), Cheah Yan (#91),
CJC Roster
Troy Hee (#1), Hoo Jinh Wann (#5), Mark Biju George (#6), Sim Yang Kai (#8), Javier Chew (#9), Johnson (#10), Yang Junhao (#11), Jay Edward Goh Wei Wern (#15), Ivan Loh (#22), Lew Xun Yi (#24), Jared Tham (#27), Tan Jun He (#29), Luke Cheong (#55), Chen Ang (#71), Glendon Goh (#99)
More photos next page
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