Story and photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.
Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, August 15 , 2008 – Raffles Girls’ School secured a place in the semi-finals of the C Division Girls Basketball Championship after beating the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School 30-26 in a quarter-final match. They currently lead their group with one game to go but even if they lose their next match against Anglican High, they will still progress.
At the tip off, SCGS managed to steal possession and drove towards the RGS half. The first foul was called just 20 seconds into the game. Alana (SCGS, #10) managed to draw a foul from RGS to earn two free throw attempts, converting one to score the first point of the match.
Stephanie (RGS, #11) responded soon after when she sank in her shot and the game became a tight one as each player tried to outmuscle each other, exhibiting strong defence and aggressive attacks. SCGS managed to draw several fouls, converting three free throws in the first quarter. The quarter ended with RGS leading 6-5.
RGS started the second quarter strongly, while the SCGS players tried their best to defend hard, stealing rebounds and creating space for attacks. There were several turnovers, with players driving down the flanks at full speed. However, RGS shots somehow managed to find their way into the basket whereas SCGS struggled to put points on the scoreboard scoring only one point in the quarter through a free throw converted by Alana (SCGS, #10). RGS on the other hand, extended their lead to seven points and walked at half time leading 13-6.
The third quarter started almost like the second. RGS continued their scoring runs but seemed to have let up a little on the pressure. With a few changes in players, they tried to maintain their lead. SCGS on the other hand, took on a different approach. Adopting attacking runs from the flanks and maneuvering along the back line and scoring via cuts to the basket.
Several tries to power through the paint were often stopped by the taller RGS players. The RGS players dominated the rebounds to quickly turn defense into attack. By the end of the third quarter, RGS had outscored SCGS seven points to four to lead 20-10.
With SCGS 10 points down, the game received a fresh breath of life as SCGS started their remarkable comeback. Gladys (SCGS, #8) stood out with her dribbles around the RGS defence. She did not have an easy job as her smaller build meant she had to take a physical pounding from the RGS players. Still, she managed to score six consecutive points.
By now, the SCGS supporters in the grandstand and the players on the SCGS bench were echoing “Defence! Defence!” Alana (SCGS, #10) also made her contributions, forcing her way through “walls” of RGS players. She drew a foul from Adeline (RGS, #5) and had no problems converting both her free throws to close the gap for her team.
To maintain their 27-25 lead, the RGS coach brought back Ivana (RGS, #8) onto the court to beef up their defense for the final few minutes. With just 28 seconds to go, a foul was called and the SCGS #6 had the chance to level the score. She converted her first free throw to make it 26-27 to the wild cheers of the supporters. Her second free throw bounced off the rim and was grabbed promptly by the RGS players.
However, the referee immediately blew his whistle as the RGS players were judged to have moved before the ball hit the rim. The SCGS #6 now had another chance to score, and everyone was on edge. Could she make it 27-27? Unfortunately, she could not convert, and the rebound was again stolen by RGS. Adeline (RGS, #5) scored one basket in the remaining few seconds of the game, making it 29-26, and this deepened the gloom of the SCGS supporters who had watched their team fight their way back to within reach of a win.
Probably too anxious to win, SCGS unintentionally committed another foul with just seven seconds on the clock. This gifted Gladys (RGS, #8) another chance to convert free throws. She converted one throw to give RGS a 30-26 points. As the final whistle blew, the disappointed faces of the SCGS girls could be seen. After fighting back and scoring 16 points (6 by Gladys and 9 by Alana), they still could not overcome their opponent. Final score: 26-30 to RGS.
After having survived this scare, RGS now have 2 wins and 0 losses, placing them first in their group. SCGS have 1 win and 1 loss. This sets them up with Zhonghua Secondary, who beat Anglican High in the other quarter-final match for a nail-biting showdown. Whoever wins the game on Monday, 18 August at SBC would most likely be assured a place in the semi-finals. Good luck!
Top scorers:
Alana (SCGS, #10) – 14 points
Stephanie (RGS, #11) – 11 points
Gladys (SCGS, #8) – 8 points
(note: Alana and Gladys scored a combined 22 points out of their team’s 26 points.)
More pictures in the gallery.
Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the pictures, feel free to leave their names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!
GLADYS! 🙂 <3
haha!alanna you rock!XD
WHOOOO GO ALANNA! GO SC! (: