BASKETBALL

National Under-14 Selection Trials
Wednesday, 24 October 07 at the Singapore Basketball Centre

Story by Red Sports reader Ian Chew.

30 boys and 28 girls vied for places in the national under-14 teams on Wednesday at the Singapore Basketball Centre. This was the third of four selection trials to be held to finally select the best eighteen under-14 players of the country and groom them to represent Singapore for the ASEAN combined schools tournament.

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Desmond Heng of Fairfield Methodist in action earlier this year. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Representing the very best of their cohort, the boys and girls were put through the paces under the watchful eyes of the selectors. Coach Yeo Hock Ann focused on the boys while coach Tan Yee Nee concentrated on the girls.

That the competition would be keen was obvious from the start. The key players of the various school teams were divided into the different positions of centres, forwards and guards and were made to undergo drills to display their skills. All the players took the exercises seriously as they were keen on impressing the selectors. A common refrain of the players was they enjoyed the challenge of pitting their skills against each other.

Said Desmond Heng of Fairfield Methodist Secondary, "I feel that my skills can be improved by playing with the better players here."

Fairfield Methodist was knocked out in the first round of the C Division South Zone Championship but that did not deter the young lad who had to balance his basketball passion with his studies and heavy church involvement.

He continued, "I'm sure that my school would do better next season in the B Division tournament as we have a better team."

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Randy Ng of Jurong (in red) in action during the National C Division Championship this year. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Despite playing a starring role in his team's third position at this year’s C Division Championship, Randy Ng of Jurong Secondary spoke highly of all the players in the selection trials.

"They are all so tall!" he gushed, as he pointed out Larry Liew of North Vista Secondary as one of the top contenders of the team.

Larry, on the other hand, played down his chances.

"I'm not so confident of being selected as the players here are all of a high standard. I just enjoy playing with all of them as it is fun and challenging!"

Jabez Su, captain of Catholic High's team and also a top vote-getter for the Red Sports 5, also impressed during the trial with his speed and strength on the fast breaks. He still found the tryouts very competitive though.

"The selections are tough but fun. This is just like extra training in addition to my school's frequent training sessions."

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Jabez Su of Catholic High. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

One player that definitely cannot be missed was Russel Low from Presbyterian High, who stood out with his 1.92m lanky frame and his deft centre moves.

"He (Russel), Dominic Lim (Catholic High), Desmond Heng (FMSS) and Zhen Qiang (Yishun Sec) should be among those that are eventually selected," predicted Lee Zuo Kuan, captain of Peirce Secondary.

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Lee Zuo Kuan (#10) of Peirce Secondary. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Zuo Kuan also had this to say about basketball: "I think it is an excellent sport as it is fun, provides good exercise for our bodies and develops our teamwork and leadership qualities as well."

That should be a good reason for all the players to continue playing and training hard, even if they do not make it to the national team!

The final selection trial for both the boys and girls teams will be held from 9am to 11am at the Singapore Basketball Centre on Sunday, 28 October 07.

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Russel Low of Presbyterian High. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports