strong>BASKETBALL

Nike League Final
Raffles Institution vs Serangoon Gardens Secondary
Friday, April 13, 2007, at
Singapore Basketball Centre

Edited by Lee Hwee Cheng


The Nike Basketball
League finally came to a close yesterday at the Singapore Basketball Centre, but
not before some exciting action took place in the highly anticipated boys’ final
between Raffles Institution and Serangoon Gardens Secondary. 


Serangoon Gardens went on to beat Raffles
Institution 56-49 to become the new champions of the inaugural Nike Basketball
League.  Congratulations, boys!




Serangoon Gardens
Secondary, champions of the inaugual Nike Basketball League.  © Jeremy.

The Red Sports Squad was not able to make it to
the League final but we are so grateful to have not just one, but two
individual contributions from our readers, Jeremy and
Aeebee Yap.  Thanks, guys!


Game report by Jeremy
The game started with a buzz, with Raffles getting
started on a high note with a fast break.  But late in the quarter,
Serangoon Gardens star-centre Koa Wei Quan (no.14) helped his team take the lead
12-9 through his rebounding & attacks under the basket.  Early in the
second quarter, RI took advantage of SGS’s loss of momentum to cut their lead to
a 1-point game. But SGS made a few interceptions of RI’s passes that converted
into crucial fast-break points for them to maintain the lead.

In the third quarter, RI put very tight defence
pressure on SGS, resulting in subsequent turnovers from the latter team. 
An important 3-pointer from RI’s Zhen Feng (no.9) made sure they were still in
the running for the championship. In the fourth quarter, RI exerted full force
into the game.  With Zhen Feng on fire, nothing could stop him from scoring
his points for a while in the quarter.  Just when the score was down to a
1-point lead, SGS started to pick up on their teamwork.  The pick-and-rolls
between Li Zhen Hong (no.11) and centre Wei Quan helped SGS gain the points and
widen the lead again.  Eventually RI looked fatigued towards the end of the
quarter.  SGS went on to seal the victory with 2 free-throws from Ken Lee
(no.7).

Three cheers to Serangoon Gardens. =]


Game report by Aeebee Yap
In an exciting Nike ‘B’ Boys’ final played at SBC,
Serangoon Gardens Secondary School beat Raffles Institution with a score of
56-49. The game was closer than what the final scoreline would suggest. Both
teams were within a point or two of each other
throughout the first 3 quarters, thanks to sharp shooting by RI and effective
plays down the lanes by SGS.

In the fourth quarter, the game began to take a
different turn, with SGS racing to a 10-point lead at one point. RI, though,
never gave up easily. Firing up their pistons with angled drives to the basket
and a 3-pointer meant they were back to within just 1 point with 2:08 minutes to
go. 3-pointers have, throughout the tourney, been an effective piece of weaponry
for RI. Time-outs were called at both ends with coaches rattling off tactics and
set-plays in quick succession. SGS’s Soh Wee Kiat and Ken Lee both roused the
60-odd strong SGS supporting contingent scoring 2 points each to increase the
lead by 5 points with 48 seconds to go. RI fired yet another 3-pointer but close
marking by SGS forwards Jeremy Syn and Li Zhenhong ensured that there was never
going to be a clear sight of the basket. Tay Yi Yang of SGS grabbed the crucial
rebound and passed it to Ken Lee who shot but missed. Once again, Wei Quan was
there to grab the rebound and score the final 2 points off the backboard. There
was just time for both teams to attempt their last basket each before the horns
blared.

Kudos to the players and coaches from both teams
who played a very thrilling and fair game. Thank you, supporters for cheering
the teams on and for giving this game the atmosphere it deserved. Finally, a big
‘thank you’ to Nike for professionally organising this league and making it
possible for teams to compete at a very high level even after the zonal
competitions.