Story and pictures contributed by reader Ian Chew
Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Wed, 16 Apr 08 – A plucky Telok Kurau senior boys’ basketball team nearly caused a huge upset when they pushed favourites Holy Innocents’ Pri all the way before eventually succumbing 48-49 in their semi-final game today, and a relieved Holy Innocents’ Primary team erupted with joy at the final whistle.
Yet it was not like this at all at the start. The Holy Innocent’s bench was subjected to a rude shock from the onset of the game when Telok Kurau’s small forwards showed no fear for their more illustrious opponents. Ridzuan (#7, TKPS) in particular, was pulling all the strings for his team in an incredible 10-0 run in the first quarter! He scored 2 points in the quarter alone and had a hand in all the rest of the baskets by his teammates.
Holy Innocents’ Pri was at this time struggling to find any sort of offensive rhythm and turned the ball over repeatedly, to the chagrin of their teachers and coach. It was only towards the end of the quarter that Myron Lim (#14, HIPS) managed to haul his team back to 6-10 deficit.
Any hopes that Telok Kurau’s efforts were a fluke were totally blown away in the second quarter as their other dynamic point guard (#6) scored 10 points to lead his team to a 27-12 half-time lead over Holy Innocents’ Primary. Everyone’s eyes widened as they wondered if they were witnessing an upset of historic proportions! Could there be another David slaying Goliath situation again?
Myron injected some hope for his team when he returned in the third quarter. Together with his teammate Kai Jie (#7), they accounted for all of the team’s points in the quarter. Holy Innocents’ Pri managed a 20-5 run to tie the score at 32-32 at the end of the third. That set the stage for an exciting fourth quarter finale!
In the fourth quarter, Myron Lim finally made his tall 1.8m presence felt with numerous defensive and offensive rebounds for his team. He exploded with 15 of his team’s 17 points to haul his team to a 49-48 victory!
Yet Telok Kurau incredibly had a chance to win the game in the dying seconds. Being no strangers to closely fought games (they had actually pipped Kranji for a place in the semis by 2 points!), Ridzuan kept his nerve to score a jumpshot over Myron to reduce his team’s deficit to 1 point at 48-49. Sprinting back, the determined 1.5m Malay boy actually made an interception and ran towards the basket for a lay-up for the win! His efforts fell short however. (You can see the highlights of the final moments in the attached video clip.)
Telok Kurau may have lost the semis, but they have certainly won hearts with their gutsy display!
Telok Kurau’s principal Wilbur Wong was effusive in praise for his charges’ performance.
“What they have lacked in size, they certainly made up for it in courage! I’m very proud of their performance today!” he gushed.
In the other semi-final, Chua Chu Kang Pri outclassed Kheng Cheng Pri to record an easy 47-22 victory. Both Chua Chu Kang Pri and Holy Innocents’ Pri will meet in the final in a clash of the giants! The final will be played at Toa Payoh Sports Hall on 24 April (Thu).
Telok Kurau Primary will face Kheng Cheng Pri in the third and fourth placing match also at Toa Payoh Sports Hall on 22 April (Tue).
they are the best of the best basketball player in Telok Kurau.thank u
myron lim win does not count his height lorh . is his skill . understand?
myron lim rox can?
myron lim will b the best player kae???
Myron Lim Solo King lor if he only 1.48 we thrash holy untill siao already
that referee that blew the final whistle was the one who tried to slam dunk but broke the rim back in kranji pri , lol .
yea i agree this year the sec 1 is as good as th sec 2 tat batch i think th up comin batch which is th next year sec 1 is sure to over take ths year’s sec 1 … espically is basketballer from holy , nan qiau , and some other strong schs
myron from holy innocent is VERY GOOD. A SUPER POTENTIAL PLAYER!