HCI overcome Innova JC to clinch fourth consecutive A Division Boys’ Basketball title

Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Jurong East Sports Hall, Friday, May 22, 2009 - Defending champions Hwa Chong Institution never trailed as they whipped Innova Junior College 68-40 in the A Division Boys' Basketball Championship final.

Innova JC's fairytale journey was ended by a resurgent Hwa Chong team that made sure history did not repeat itself. HCI had suffered a shock one-point loss to Innova JC at the quarter-final stage.

Hwa Chong Institution did their homework and Innova JC's most influential player Dickson Chu (#8) was tightly marked throughout the entire game by Chester Leow (HCI #11). That prevented Innova JC from playing their usual slick passing game, while HCI made every possession count.

Innova won the tip-off from the start but they did not gain full advantage of the possession as Thong Jing Wei (IJC #10) wasted his first 3-pointer attempt. Hwa Chong were a cut above their opponents with their finishing touches as Chester Leow (HCI #11) and Yap Ching Poh (#13) made their presence felt in the paint with four successive points.

Ong Wen Yong (IJC #11) managed to contribute two points after he was clear for an under-basket shot assisted by Dickson (IJC #8). However, quick straight points from Ching Poh (HCI #13) and Chiam Hong Yao (#9) extended Hwa Chong's lead to six points at 8-2.

After just 2:30 of play, the Innova coach called for a time-out to sort things out. Jing Wei (IJC #10) answered her request as he nailed a 3-pointer on his third attempt. But it was Hwa Chong that set the pace as they went on a 9-0 run with all the points coming from four starters. It was 17-5 by the end of the first quarter.

It was a tighter affair in the second quarter as both sides exchanged points. Loh Hong Sheng (HCI #10) impressed with vital points for Hwa Chong after coming off the bench. Hwa Chong managed to widen their lead to 14 points by half-time to 27-13.

The third quarter was the highest-scoring period as 35 points were shared among the two teams. Jing Wei (IJC #10) got the ball rolling with two points while Hong Yao (HCI #9) answered immediately with a strong drive to the basket. Hwa Chong held on to a 15-point lead before the Innova coach called for another time-out with 6:15 left to play. She tried to sort the inbounds pass strategies as it proved to be the most difficult task for Innova to overcome since their playmaker Dickson (IJC #8) was closely monitored by the Hwa Chong players.

It did not take too long however for Hwa Chong to break into a huge 21-point lead as they ended the third quarter at 48-27.

Things did not improve for Innova as they faced one of the biggest deficits in their entire competition at 29 points. With three minutes remaining, the Hwa Chong coach brought on all the bench players. The Innova coach did the same and substituted the starters with bench players to play out the final minutes.

Hwa Chong claimed the match soon after, and their fourth consecutive A Division Boys basketball title.

Chiam Hong Yao (HCI #9)'s 21-point game contributed largely to his team's victory, particularly in the second half when he scored 14 points.

"I was not playing well in the earlier period as I was nervous. But somehow, I became much more disciplined in the later part of the game," he said.

On overcoming Innova JC after the shocking loss in the early stages of the competition, he said, "It's about revenge in the final. It also gets everybody (the Hwa Chong team) going."

Michael Wong, Hwa Chong Institution's teacher-in-charge felt relieved after the school claimed both the girls' and boys' titles for the second year running.

"There's a certain expectation from the team, school and even myself." He said. "I guess we have steered in the right direction in terms of the level of basketball in school."

Yap Ching Poh (HCI #13) picked up the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his all-round contribution throughout the game. He had 20 points game, including numerous rebounds and assists.

Round-up of A Division Basketball Championship

A Division Boys
1st: Hwa Chong Institution
2nd: Innova JC
3rd: Victoria JC
4th: Raffles Institution

A Division Girls
1st: Hwa Chong Institution
2nd: Raffles Institution
3rd: Victoria JC
4th: Temasek JC

Match Statistics

Starting line-up
HCI - Zhou Kai (#7), Chiam Hong Yao (#9), Chester Leow (#11), Yap Ching Poh (#13), Hong Hock Seng (#14)
IJC - Joel Yoon (#7), Dickson Chu (#8), Thong Jing Wei (#10), Ong Wen Yong (#11), Walla Fyn (#14)

Scores by Quarter
1st Q: HCI 17 IJC 5
2nd Q: HCI 10 IJC 8
3rd Q: HCI 21 IJC 14
4th Q: HCI 20 IJC 13

Top Scorers
HCI:
Chiam Hong Yao (#9) - 21 points
Yap Ching Poh (#13) - 20 points

IJC:
Walla Fyn (#14) - 11 points
Thong Jing Wei (#10) - 10 points