Story and pictures contributed by reader Harley

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Priscilla of Kranji (white) dribbles past her Gongshang opponent in the junior girls final. (Photo 1 © Harley)

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Thursday, April 24, 2008 – Kranji Primary beat Telok Kurau Primary 35-33 in a close match win the senior girls Inter-Primary Basketball Championship title last week.

The match was tense and the pressure was on the Kranji Primary senior girls as their junior girls’ team had edged out Gongshang Primary 28-23 earlier to win the championship title for the junior division. There was also added pressure on the senior girls’ team because they were also trying to retain the senior girls division title for the third year running.

The match started with Kranji leading 8-0 within just a few minutes but they lost momentum towards the end of the 1st quarter and allowed Telok Kurau to catch up with them to tie it 11-11. Telok Kurau started the 2nd quarter with full confidence with their key player, #8, fielded against the Kranji Primary 2nd team but surprisingly, Kranji Primary put up a fantastic performance.

BY the 4th quarter, Kranji had built a nine-point lead but Telok Kurau never gave up hope. They continued to wreak havoc on Kranji, forcing them into numerous mistakes. Their efforts paid off and with less than one minute to go, Telok Kurau Primary trailed by only a point at 33-34 with the supporters from both sides shouting their lungs out.

But with 30 seconds left, a Telok Kurau player fouled Kranji’s #13 Penielle (MVP) and two free throws were awarded. The first throw bounce out but the second shot was spot on which gave Kranji a two-point lead. The Kranji team then retained ball possession till final whistle to send their supporters into ecstasy as they jumped with joy. Three cheers to Telok Kurau Primary for putting up a good effort.

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Hui Ying of Kranji (white) dribbles up court while her Gongshang opponent tries to catch up. (Photo 2 © Harley)
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Kranji senior girls (red) in their final game against Telok Kurau. (Photo 3 © Harley)
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Annie Tay of Kranji on a fast break. (Photo 4 © Harley)
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Annie Tay of Kranji (red) dribbles up the court. (Photo 5 © Harley)