Queenstown and Catholic High qualify for SZ basketball final

Story by reader Ian Chew

Queenstown’s Hong Yee Hong (#4) was instrumental in his team’s 65-60 victory over Gan Eng Seng. Teammates Lai Kiat (#9) and Adrian (#11) also chipped in with 13 points and 10 points each. They will next face Catholic High in the final. (Photo © Ian Chew)

CCAB, Monday, March 3, 2008 – Queenstown Secondary stunned Gan Eng Seng Secondary 65-60 to qualify for the South Zone basketball final for the first time in their B division history! Queenstown's Hong Yee Hong (#4) downed an incredible 30 points, including eight 3-point shots to lead his team to a huge upset over Gan Eng Seng, the second round Group X winner.

Queenstown had given everyone a glimpse of their intent when they jumped to a 14-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Gan Eng Seng hit back immediately in the second quarter, however, when their skilful point guard Ng Zhao Feng (#9) led his team on a 16-9 comeback, going into the half time break 24-23 in the lead. He eventually scored 24 points for his team.

The second half was a nail-biting affair, with both teams trading leads and the score going back and forth. It was still all square at 51-51 with three minutes to go when Queenstown began to pull away with some inspired play.

Gan Eng Seng never truly recovered after that and a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer failed to change the result. Queenstown scored a historic win to meet Catholic High in the South Zone final to be played at Toa Payoh Sports Hall on Wednesday, March 5. Catholic High had earlier cruised to a comfortable 96-44 win to reverse their first round loss to Raffles Institution in the other boys' semi-final.

Yuying will face Raffles Girls School after they overcame a stiff SCGS challenge in the first girls' semi-final 51-44. Raffles Girls School beat Whitley Secondary easily in the other semi-final 74-53. The girls match will be played at 1pm at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall on the same day as the boys' final.

Hannah Ng (#4) of RGS scored 4 points as well to lead her team to her team to a 74-53 victory over Whitley Sec as well as a place in the SZ final. (Photo © Ian Chew)

A lay up attempt by an SCGS player fails to prevent her team from succumbing to a better Yuying team. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Jabez Su (#4, CH) shook off a wrist injury to score 31 points for his team. Here he was obviously fouled by Teo Hong (#6, RI) but the referee missed the call! But it hardly mattered as Catholic High went on to record a big 96-44 semi-final win over RI. (Photo © Ian Chew)