Anglican High edge out RGS by one point in B Division Basketball Championship

By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports

Jurong West Sports Complex, Monday, March 30, 2009 - With the scores level at 48-48 and with two seconds left on the clock, Cheryl Boh of Anglican high made a free throw to give her side a dramatic 49-48 victory over Raffles Girls' School in the National B Division Basketball Championship.

"I didn't know if I would score! And I was extremely nervous," said Cheryl Boh after the match. She actually missed her first free throw and the match was depending on her second one.

With the win, Anglican High now have two wins out of two and will make it into the second round. RGS, on the other hand, will have to beat Hua Yi in order to qualify.

RGS started the match without key players Hannah Ng and Stephanie Siow as they just recovered from the injuries and were not at full match fitness. It was clear that RGS missed them.

Both teams had a slow start as they fought to get their rhythm going. Anglican High, especially, looked nervous with the ball as they fumbled at times. But they were quickly settled and ended a tight first quarter with a slight edge at 7-6.

Both teams' continued where they left off in the first quarter with little separating the teams. RGS coach Guangyi then chose to bring on Hannah Ng and Stephanie Siow in an attempt to shake up the game. However, their presence made little impact as the Anglican High defence stood strong allowing them to take a 15-11 lead at half-time. Zoe Eng deserves mention as she was a key force under the basket as she made easy rebounds and points. It didn't help also that Deanna Ng was in foul trouble early on, crippling the RGS offense.

But RGS were still very much in the game as they began to string points together in the third. After levelling the match at 20-20 at the 4.38 minute mark, Adeline of RGS gave her team the lead at 22-20. This however, didn't last long as the ball was immediately pumped up to Cheryl Boh for her to make an easy layup.

The layup sparked off a series off quick breaks from Anglican High as they hit RGS on the break. Although out-scored 13-14 in the third, Anglican High were able to take a slim three-point lead into the final quarter at 28-25.

The match was now being played at blistering pace with both teams still very much in the game. Deanna Ng gave her team the lead with 5.40 remaining but Doreen Sia grab it right back for Anglican High at 39-38. With the teams trading points and the lead, it was now getting rather physical with RGS conceding many free throws.

Not more than three points separated the teams throughout the fourth and it continued when Hannah Ng levelled the match again at 48-48 with less than 30 seconds remaining. However, Cheryl Boh and Anglican High would have the last laugh when she was fouled as she drove to the basket with only two seconds remaining.

Although she missed the first free throw, she kept her composure to make the second to give her side the win.

"Our game plan was to limit the scoring and rebounding of AHS centre, Zoe Eng. Our plan didn't work well and hence letting in many easy baskets," commented RGS Coach Guangyi. "With the injured players still not 100% match fit, the Secondary 3 players had to step up their game and they put in a strong fight against the bigger opponents."

Despite the dramatic victory, Cheryl Boh felt the team could have played better.

"I don't think we played up to standard, especially in our offense. RGS defense was also really strong which is why the score is so low."

Anglican High will now look to complete their perfect start in their group stages against Woodgrove Secondary next Monday.

Quarter by Quarter scores

1st Q: Anglican High 7 RGS 6
2nd Q: Anglican High 8 RGS 5
3rd Q: Anglican High 13 RGS 14
4th Q: Anglican High 21 RGS 23

RGS Lineup
Anna Tay (#4)
Vivien Cheok (#5)
Tam Yan Ping (#6)
Adeline Lim (#7)
Stephanie Siow (#8)
Hannah Ng (#9)
Iliana Ishak (#10)
Deanna Ng (#11)
Tang Li Yong (#12)
Ivana Low (#13)
Angie Tay (#14)
Quek Yi Ning (#15)

Anglican High Lineup (incomplete)
Faithe Poh (#4)
Cheryl Boh (#5)
Koh Pei Ying (#6)
Kuah Chew Shian (#7)
Hilda Li (#8)
Zoe Eng (#9)
Chua Ting Yi (#10)
Cheong Kelly (#11)
Genevieve Ong (#12)
Oh Jingjing (#13)
Rachel Anne Yam (#14)
Doreen Sia (#15)