West Spring in position to qualify for second round from tight group

Update by Leslie Tan

Denneth Yeo of West Spring lays up for two points. He scored a game-high 21 points for his team. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Wednesday, January 30, 2008 – West Spring beat Westwood 61-44 yesterday in a Group E match to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the second round of the West Zone B Division Boys Basketball Championship. The championship has seen two weeks of games and Group E is turning out to be an exciting group to watch because the teams are closely matched.

With this win, West Spring improve their record to 3-wins-1-losses (3-1) adn they are matched by Dunearn (3-1) who also played yesterday, beating River Valley High 41-32. Clementi Town, who have a 2-1 record, must win their final two games against River Valley High and Dunearn to stand any chance of qualifying.

In Group A, Unity look set to qualify for the second round with a perfect 3-0 record and so the battle is on between Yuan Ching and Hwa Chong Institution for the runner-up spot. Both teams have similar 2-1 records and they are both set to meet on Friday, February 1 at Clementi Sports Hall in a game that will decide who follows Unity into the second round.

Jurong are certain Group B winners with a perfect 3-0 record as well. Jurong West, having lost to both Jurong and New Town, have completed their group fixtures with a 2-2 record and their fate is out of their hands. If New Town beat Chua Chu Kang as expected in their final fixture on Monday, February 4, they will secure second spot in the group and qualification to the next round.

In Group C, Assumption English have won their group with a perfect 4-0 record, and attention now turns to who the runner-up will be. Nan Hua High, with a 2-1 record, have to see off Yusof Ishak (1-2) to ensure qualification.

Kranji are Group D winners with a 4-0 record and Bukit Panjang Government High (2-1) will hope to ensure that they follow Kranji into the next round when they play Juying (1-2) in their final group fixture. Bukit Batok (1-2) play Tanglin (0-3) in the other group fixture and need Juying to beat Bukit Panjang to have any hopes of qualifying based on a countback.

Swiss Cottage are Group E leaders with a perfect 4-0 record. Hua Yi are also unbeaten (3-0) but have played a game less. Both these schools should qualify for the next round at the expense of Zhenghua (2-2).

Please visit Fixtures+Results for more details.

Yuen Boon Siong (14) of Westwood shoots from the outside. He scored a team-high 17 points while teammate Brandon Chua (#7) scored 14 points, including two 3-pointers. Westwood led 15-8 in the first quarter but West Spring overhauled them to lead 24-22 by half-time. (© Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Westwood #9 (in white) drives past a West Spring player. West Spring pulled away in the third quarter to lead 42-30 and finished off the game 61-44 winners for their third win in Group E. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Chester Lai (#10) of Swiss Cottage on a lay-up. His teammate Damen Tow (#11) scored a game-high 23 points, including one 3-pointer. Swiss Cottage blew away Teck Whye 68-23 for their fourth straight win. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Boon Lay’s #9 (in white) looking to drive past Zhenghua’s #6. Zhenghua eventually won 68-55 but both teams are out of contention for the second round. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Jonas (#8) of Dunearn lays up for two against River Valley. His team finished 41-32 winners and should qualify for the second round. River Valley lost their fourth straight game and are out of contention. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Ed’s note: If you know the name of the players featured, please leave it in the comments section. Thanks. For more pictures, please visit the gallery.