Story and photos by REDintern Alan Chiang

Woodlands vs Compassvale basketball

Woodlands and Compassvale about to tip off in their game. (Photo 1 © Alan Chiang/Red Sports)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - In a tightly-contested B Division North Zone boys' basketball match, Woodlands Secondary managed to edge out Compassvale Secondary 40-37.

Both teams had traded leads throughout the game with Compassvale’s having their biggest lead of five points at one point while Woodlands’ best was a five-point lead.

Height played a vital role in this match-up as Compassvale were unable to stop towering Woodlands center Yong Tuck (#12). He made his presence felt in the paint with a game-high 16 points for the victory over Compassvale.

Lee Rui Jian (#10) added 12 points for Woodlands while Marcus (#4) played an important part in the final period with four crucial points from the field.

Compassvale, despite lacking height in both the front and back court, overcame their towering opponents at times with tight defense and fast-break tactics.

Bryan (Compassvale, #6) was shooting with much confidence from most parts of the field and supplied with 13 points. Teammate Nigel (#10) was as capable as he added 12 points. Martin (Compassvale, #5) was lively throughout the game and distributed the ball with numerous important assists.

Woodlands exploited its height advantage and managed to take a 2-point, 14-12 lead over Compassvale by the end of the first quarter. During the second quarter, Compassvale took control and gained their highest lead of five points with fast-break tactics to lead 21-19 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Woodlands coach cleverly changed his tactics and began to hit Compassvale on fast breaks. Compassvale were, without a doubt, lacking stamina and strength to hold on to their lead and it was no surprise they trailed Woodlands 28-29 at the end of the third.

With 3 minutes 34 seconds left in the fourth and final quarter, Compassvale called for a decisive time-out to keep themselves in contention. However, with 52 seconds left on the clock, Compassvale’s Nigel (#10) fouled out after committing his fifth offence on Marcus (Woodlands, #4) and Woodlands stayed focused to clinch the match.

In an earlier match, Chung Cheng High (Yishun) thumped Northbrooks Secondary 69-30 while Anderson Secondary fired past Woodgrove Secondary 59-53.

Match Statistics

Highest Lead
WDL - 6 points
CVSS - 5 points

Quarter-by-Quarter Scores
1st Q: WDL 14 CVSS 12
2nd Q: WDL 19 CVSS 21
3rd Q: WDL 29 CVSS 28
4th Q: WDL 40 CVSSS 37

Top Scorers
Woodlands
Yong Tuck (#12) - 16 pts
Lee Rui Jian (#10) - 12 pts

Compassvale
Bryan (#6) – 13 pts
Nigel (#10) – 10 pts

Woodlands vs Compassvale basketball

Woodlands takes a free throw. (Photo 2 © Alan Chiang/Red Sports)