Story by Zachary Foo/Red Sports
Dunman (white) in action against Presbyterian High. They won their Round 2 group to move into the semi-finals. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, August 26, 2013 — Round 2 of the 2013 National C Division Basketball Championships have just ended. With defending boys’ and girls’ champions, Catholic High and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, out after the first round, the semi-finalists will be hoping to fill the void and claim all the glory. We look at how each group played out and recap the semi-finalists.
Boys
Group A
Semi-Finalists: North Vista Secondary (1st), Jurong Secondary (2nd)
North Vista ended a two-year drought and finally reached the promised land, posting an unbeaten record in their group to qualify for the semi-finals. They posted strong wins over Jurong and Presbyterian High, both strong teams in their own right, while defeating Chung Cheng (Main) by a close four-point margin. They will be hoping that this is the year they do go all the way. They will face Unity Secondary in the semi-finals.
After a minor blip last year, Jurong should be happy they qualified in second place, grafting out a 44–42 win over Chung Cheng High (Main) to nab second place in the group. They will be hoping to improve on their showings in 2010 and 2011, where they fell at the semi-final stage both times. Jurong will take on 2012 losing finalists Dunman Secondary.
Group B
Semi Finalists – Dunman Secondary (1st), Unity Secondary (2nd)
Dunman look set to make a repeat of last year’s run to the final after qualifying undefeated from the group. They trounced each team in their group by double-digit margins in imperious fashion. This bodes well for them as they look to claim the throne, with Catholic High now out of the picture.
Not to be outdone, Unity will be looking to improve on their third-place finish last year, qualifying second out of the group. North Vista stand in their way, a team that they beat 47–44 in the national group stages last year, which gives them a psychological edge, knowing that they’ve beaten them before.
Girls
Group X
Semi-Finalists: Dunman Secondary (1st), Nanyang Girls’ High (2nd)
In a wild group where all teams were of similar strength, Dunman and Nanyang Girls’ High emerged top of the pile. Four out of the six games played were decided by single-digit margins, a testament to how close all teams are in terms of ability. Dunman will take on CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) in the semi-finals.
Even though they qualified second, Nanyang Girls’ look to be the favourites for the title, as their pedigree of finishing runners-up last year will serve them well in the current campaign. They will play Anglican High in the semi-finals.
Group Y
Semi-Finalists: Anglican High (1st), CHIJ Toa Payoh (2nd)
Anglican High staked their claim for the title this year, finishing unbeaten in their group. After falling short the past three years, they will surely he hoping that this is their year.
CHIJ (TP) celebrate their first C Division semi-finals since records were kept in 1988. The squad this year looks significantly different this year with Jayne Chan (#12) leading the offence.
C Division National Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results
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