Story contributed by reader Teo Siang Yang

CCAB, Monday, July 14, 2008 – Consistent performer Mayflower Secondary defeated traditional powerhouse Gan Eng Seng Secondary 61-41 in an adrenaline-pumping game this week in a second round South Zone C Division Boys Basketball Championship game. For the first three quarters, both teams kept the score so close that it kept the audience wanting more action. Whenever Mayflower managed to score a basket, Gan Eng Seng would respond immediately with one of theirs. The tussle went on like there was no tomorrow.

Gan Eng Seng players rose to the occasion from the start, motivated by the prize of a semi-final place. Gan Eng Seng were led by their #7 who brilliantly guided the team with crisp passes and blazing attacks to the basket. Meanwhile, the Gan Eng Seng #13 was his usual hardworking self as he displayed confidence at the boards with his rebounds and post plays. The Gan Eng Seng #9 complemented the team effort with great vision and slicing offence. Gan Eng Seng could only sustain the pace for only three quarters unfortunately and Mayflower made them pay.

The Mayflower team looked a tad nervous from the start and could not stave off the resistance of their opponents. However, with good skills and solid defense, the boys managed to do just enough to hold off Gan Eng Seng until the team started getting their momentum going. True enough, with the outstanding positioning for rebounds by their #4 in addition to the precise passing of their #5, plus the relentless efforts in both offense and defense by their #15, Mayflower managed to calm their nerves and get into their rhythm in the last quarter. They established a 20-point lead in the last seven minutes of the fourth quarter and never looked back. Their experience gave them the crucial 61-41 victory over Gan Eng Seng and closer to qualifying for the National Championship from the South Zone.

In an earlier game between Kent Ridge Secondary and Yuying Secondary, both teams were coincidentally without their coaches. The Kent Ridge coach was overseas while the Yuying coach had an important game going on at the same time and so the teachers took over the helm. Due to discipline issues, four main Yuying players were suspended for the first quarter. While the score was close in the first quarter, Yuying managed to pull away from the second quarter onwards to finally win 63-23.