Maris Stella High lose steam and succumb to North Vista in Round 2 of B Division North Zone basketball

Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, February 27, 2009 - Maris Stella High failed to prevent North Vista Secondary from breaking away easily after half-time and eventually succumbed 54-72 in their boys’ B Division North Zone Basketball Championship game.

With both teams already through to the next round, this match was to determine who would finish top of the group in order to avoid facing powerhouse Presbyterian High in the semi-finals.

Larry Liew (#11) of North Vista starred for his team as he contributed 24 points in the victory against Maris Stella.

North Vista took the first points after Larry (NV #11) drained a huge 3-pointer. Fu Zhi (MSH #4) replied with a drive to the basket and match was level at 7-7 after five minutes of play. North Vista then committed several turnovers and allowed Maris Stella to break away for a four-point lead.

Larry (NV #11), also a Singapore combined schools player, then scored his second 3-pointer and a layup to give his team a one-point. The first quarter ended 14-14 after Jervin Lim (MSH #10) made a foul shot and converted a free throw.

The second quarter started with Maris Stella deploying man-to-man defensive tactics on Larry (NV #11) after his 12-point first quarter performance. They managed to hold him to two points with several players taking turns to defend against him closely.

With 4:55 left in the second, Maris Stella took a six-point lead courtesy of Jonus Tok (MSH #12) dropping 10 points in the paint. The lead was extended to eight points after a basket by Jervin Lim (MSH #10).

However, North Vista managed to come back into the match as Larry (NV #11) and his teammates Gabriel (NV #9) and Kun Leng (NV #15) got second-chance points in the paint to ensure that Maris Stella only held a slim two-point 28-26 lead at the half-time break.

Maris Stella started the third quarter strongly but faded in the later part. North Vista's offense was spearheaded by Larry (NV #11) and Gabriel (NV #9) as they contributed a total of 12 points in the third quarter.

Maris Stella showed no signs of recovery as they gave away balls with a series of turnovers to allow North Vista a seven-point 49-42 lead at the end of the third quarter.

North Vista began the final quarter as they ended the third and they increased the lead to 16 points after Kian Hao (NV #7) and Gabriel (NV #9) combined well to go on a 9-0 run. Larry of North Vista also got into the frame as he made several vital blocks to keep Maris Stella at bay.

With 5:02 left, Maris Stella coach called for a timeout to sort out their tactics. Nonetheless, it was not enough to prevent Gabriel (NV #9) and Larry (NV #11) going on a scoring spree. Shervin Lim (MSH #11) tried to ignite a revival as he added eight points for Maris Stella but with 1:12 remaining, the North Vista coach brought on the reserves, a sign of confidence that victory was theirs already.

North Vista will now face off against Seng Kang Secondary while Maris Stella will meet Presbyterian High in the semi-finals on Monday, March 2.

Match Statistics:
Scores by quarter
1st Q: NV 14 MSH 14
2nd Q: NV 26 MSH 28
3rd Q: NV 49 MSH 42
4th Q: NV 72 MSH 54

Top scorer
NV:
Larry Liew (#11) - 24 points
Gabriel Tan (#9) - 20 points

MSH:
Jonus Tok (#12) - 14 points
Shervin Lim (#11) - 13 points