Story by REDintern Raychel Lim. Pictures by REDintern Wong Hong Yong.
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, August 18, 2008 – Raffles’ Girls School overcame Anglican High 43-39 in the final match of Group X in the C Division Basketball Championship quarter-finals.
Jing Jing (AHS, #9) provided unfaltering vision by scoring one point after another. Despite knowing that her team was almost certainly out of the championship, she played her heart out, moving intelligently around the RGS defenders. Possession and scoring were as important to her as denying her opponents the opportunity to score, as seen from the way she smacked several balls out of play. RGS’ early mishandling of the ball also allowed a confident Rhesa (AHS, #6) room to play.
For the RGS camp, good teamwork and exemplary skill provided them with regular opportunities at the basket. Even as Hilary (AHS, #4) missed several consecutive attempts to score, Cheryl (RGS, #4) cleared both her consecutive free throws, earning two points for her team.
In the final minute of the first half, the intensity of the game was evident, with RGS up by just five points against AHS at 33-28. Rhesa (AHS, #6) managed to draw a foul from her opponent and earned two free throw attempts. She missed her first but the second found its target. The first half ended 35-29 in favour of RGS.
The intensity did not let up in the second half. The AHS girls stepped on the pedal, fighting for and making the most of every opportunity they had. At one point AHS managed to bring the score to within one point of RGS. But RGS held them off with a shot to lead 42-39. In the final moments of the game, a free throw was awarded to RGS, bringing the score to 43-39 as the final whistle sounded.
RGS retains the top spot in Group X and will face Dunman Secondary on 21 August (Thursday) at SBC in the semi-finals.
And to the AHS team must go the consolation that success in sport is not simply about winning, but about demonstrating character and determination in the task at hand.
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