Nanyang cruise to victory over Unity

BASKETBALL

National ‘C’ Division Championship 2007 Quarterfinals
Nanyang Girls’ High School vs Unity Secondary
Pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures

Story and additional picture by Red Sports reader Ian Chew. Thanks.

Despite losing to Unity in the Zone semifinal plast month, Nanyang Girls turned the tables this time around to beat their fellow West Zone qualifier Unity 53-36 in a group quarterfinal match played yesterday at the Singapore Basketball Centre.

Sharlene Huang of Nanyang scored a total of nine points in her team’s winning effort. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Determined to make up for their earlier loss, the Nanyang team jumped ahead early, leading 11-5 after the first quarter. They never looked back after that, increasing their lead quarter by quarter to eventually win the game 53-36. Key to their victory was the play of their 2 tall centres, Nicole Lau (#11) and Sharlene Huang (#13) who scored 16 and nine points respectively. They also grabbed many crucial rebounds for their team.

In the Unity team, point guard Olivia (#7) was their key player, driving into the paint constantly and contributing 16 points to her team.

Nicole Lau of Nanyang High. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Asked about the difference this time in her team’s win, coach Lu Zhi attributed it her team’s improved defence. “We managed to stop Unity’s offence through our individual defense, that was the key to the win this time round.”

The win was also significant because it ensured that Nanyang topped their group. They will now face Raffles Girls’ School in the National C Division semifinal to be played on Wed, 22 August at the Singapore Basketball Centre at 1:30 pm.

Nanyang Girls’ (win-loss record unknown):

Duan Menghao (#4)
Cheryn Choo (#5)
Glenda Yeo (#6)
Cherylin Tan (#7)
Ooi Li Wen (#8)
Jolie Ng (#9)
Charis Wong (#10)
Nicole Lau (#11)
Joey Quek (#12)
Sharlene Huang (#13)
Sing Qing (#14)
Wang Hai Yun (#15)

Unity (win-loss record unknown):

Huiting (#4)
Marilyn (#5)
Siti (#6)
Olivia (#7)
Yelicia (#8)
Yan Han (#9)
Xiao Fei (#10)
Nanette (#11)
Biru (#12)
Lishan (#13)
Lijun (#14)
Ramona (#15)