BASKETBALL

National ‘B’ Division Boys
Catholic High vs Unity Secondary
Monday, 16 April 2007 at Clementi Sports Hall

This report has been very kindly contributed by one of our fervent readers, Ong Wen Qian.  Thanks, Wen Qian!  This is awesome!

Catholic High’s no.12 Khaw Yeong Wooi has no trouble reaching for the basket at 1.95m tall.  He brought the spirit of his team to a high when he made a slam in the third quarter.  Picture taken from an earlier quarter-final game.  © Daniel Tham

It was a spectacular and exciting match. Even though Unity trailed throughout the game, their determination and team spirit were evident throughout the 40 minutes, deserving utmost respect from us all.

Catholic High started the game by winning the tip-off and Ming Xuan (no.14) scored the first points of the game with a jumper right outside the paint. In the first few minutes of the game, tight defense played by both teams resulted in unnecessary mistakes and turnovers from both teams. However, Catholic High were able to convert their fast breaks to lead 6-0, before Unity’s No.6 sank two amazing 3-pointers which were shot from way beyond the arc. Catholic High then retaliated with a jumpshot by captain Chester Leow, followed by centre Khaw Yeong Wooi’s successful penetrations, evidence of his height advantage. Catholic High’s "in-your-face" defence limited Unity to only shot attempts from way behind the 3-point mark. Catholic High finished the first period leading 30-10.

In the second period, Unity adopted another defensive tactic, which required a fast enough player to face-guard Chiam Hong Yao, point guard of Catholic High, so as to stop him from setting up the team’s offense. However, this tactic was rendered ineffective when Catholic High cleverly used "screens" to free Hong Yao or had Yeong Wooi bring the ball upcourt instead. Unity Sec then got into foul trouble, having committed 4 team fouls early in the quarter, which resulted in Catholic High making easy free throws. Still, both teams put on a very hard fight and team defense, which kept the period to a low-scoring one. By half-time, Unity were trailing 14-41.

Then came the highlight of the game. During the third period, Yeong Wooi from Catholic High did a slam dunk after receiving a pass from teammate Wong Kam Seng (no.13). There was then interminable silence before deafening cheers erupted from the whole stadium. The spectacular shot proved to be a morale booster for Catholic High while a shot of devastation for Unity. Unity never threatened again and Catholic High cruised to a 60-25 victory.

Throughout the game, the team spirit of team CH, not only comprising the ‘B’ Division basketball team but also including Catholic High students and teachers who went to Clementi specially to support the team, was evident as the crowd cheered them during defense.  In the previous year, Catholic High also beat Unity in the National semi-final, by a margin of 9 points.

Catholic High will be meeting rival Gan Eng Seng in the final, which is a replay of the South Zone ‘B’ Division final. The match will be played on the 25th in Toa Payoh Sports Hall.