Story by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports. Photos by Dylan Chua/Red Sports.
Valerie Lim (JSS #7) rises for a left-handed lay-up in the paint on her way to a game-high 27 points against SCGS. (Photo 1 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)
Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Friday, April 6, 2018 — Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) shook off a resilient Jurong Secondary School (JSS) with a dominant second-half performance to earn a 66–43 victory in the National B Division Basketball Championship Semi-Finals.
Jurong will face Nanyang Girls’ High in the 3rd/4th placing match while SCGS will be matched up against Yishun Town Secondary in the Final.
Crystal Nathasha (SCGS #9) led the way for SCGS with a team-high 17 points, while Tori Chua (SCGS #7) and Fatin Nazura Bte Mohammad Rafi (SCGS #4) added 10 points apiece.
Valerie Lim (JSS #7) was on fire for Jurong as she rained down a game-high 27 points on SCGS while Loh Yu Xian (JSS #13) chipped in 12 points as the duo combined to score 39 of Jurong’s 43 points.
Both sides were neck-and-neck in the first quarter as they attacked the paint relentlessly for points in the paint and crashed the boards for second-chance points on offence. Both sides also displayed a sturdy defence that hustled to contest shots and force turnovers for points in transition.
Jurong briefly held a 7–6 lead with 3:42 left in the period after Valerie Lim (JSS #7) converted a tough scoop lay-up under heavy pressure from the defence, but SCGS responded with a 7–1 run to close out the quarter and grab a 13–8 lead.
SCGS unleashed a full-court press in the second quarter, but Jurong seemed unfazed as they were able to limit turnovers with crisp cuts and ball movement to move the ball up-court to set up their offence in the half-court setting.
Jurong managed to make it a 19–18 ballgame after Loh Yu Xian (JSS #13) converted a smooth hook shot in the low post with 2:58 left, but turnovers down the stretch of the second period allowed SCGS to enter half-time with a 23–19 cushion after Crystal Nathasha (SCGS #9) scored four straight fast-break points, including a nifty euro step lay-up in transition to side-step the defense with 36.4 seconds left.
After the half-time break, SCGS would go on a 9–0 run to grab a 32–19 lead with 6:39 left in the quarter as they clamped down on defence and Jurong struggled with creating open shots in their half-court offensive sets and turnovers that cost them offensive possessions.
However, Jurong responded with Valerie Lim (JSS #7) and Loh Yu Xian (JSS #13) putting the team on their backs on the offensive end to score 7 straight points for a 7–2 scoring run to cut SCGS’ lead to 34–26 with 4:16 left.
Unfortunately, fatigue seemed to catch up onto the Jurong defence, as they were a step slow in their defensive rotations and SCGS took advantage of that to end the quarter on a 10–3 run to lead 44–29 heading into the final period.
Jurong put up a spirited fight in the final quarter where they hustled hard on defence to contest shots and grab defensive boards while relentlessly attacking the paint and crashing the offensive boards on offence.
However, fatigue took its toll on the Jurong players, as tired legs prevented them from shooting well and they found themselves out-paced by the SCGS offence.
In the end, it was SCGS that emerged victorious with a 66–43 to advance to the final while Jurong will have to contend for the 3rd position in the 3rd/4th placing match.
SCGS will face Yishun Town in the Final, which will be held at the OCBC Arena on 12 April. Tip-off will be at 1.00 pm.
Jurong will contend for 3rd against Nanyang Girls’ High on 9 April at Tampines Hub. Tip-off will be at 1.00 pm.
Scoring by Quarter
SCGS vs Jurong
1st Quarter: 13–8
2nd Quarter: 10–11 (23–19)
3rd Quarter: 21–10 (44–29)
4th Quarter: 22–14 (66–43)
Top Scorers
SCGS
Crystal Nathasha D/O Mathi Vanan (#9) — 17 points
Tori Chua (#7) — 10 points
Fatin Nazura Bte Mohammad Rafi (#4) — 10 points
Jurong
Valerie Lim (#7) — 27 points
Loh Yu Xian (#13) — 12 points
SCGS Roster
Fatin Nazura Bte Mohammad Rafi (#4), Haziera Bte Hairudinsah (#5), Jovys Woo Sze Lee (#6), Tori Chua (#7), Rachel Tan Rui En (#8), Crystal Nathasha D/O Mathi Vanan (#9), Wee Yi-Ning Freda (#10), Rachel Ang Rui Ci (#11), Margaret Suriya (#12), Nur Nadia Bte Abdul Ghani (#13), Alisa Sarah Bte Jefri (#14), Joanie Phua Wen Xi (#15)
Jurong Roster
Celine (#4), Charmaine Ong (#5), Valerie Tan (#6), Valerie Lim (#7), Koh Yu Qian (#9), Kindra Sim (#10), Richa Rachel John (#11), Loh Yu Xian (#13), Foo Le Yao (#14), Ng Kai Lie (#17), Putri (#23), Sarrah Nabilah Bte Mokhlas (#31)
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Well done, girls. ???
Congrats SCGS!