Story by Teng Siao Shuen and Jamie Foo. Photos by Shih Han
A Nanyang player keeps possession against a Unity opponent. (Photo 1 © Shih Han)
Jurong East Sports Complex, Tuesday, March 6, 2012 — Nanyang Girls’ High School clinched their first West Zone B Division Basketball Championship in recent years with a 56-49 victory over defending champions, Unity Secondary. Nanyang finished third in the zone last year.
For Unity, this was their first zonal final loss in three years after winning the championship in 2011 and 2010.
Unity established their presence with a quick three-pointer less than five minutes into the game but Nanyang soon caught up with steady shots and interceptions to make the score close. It was only in the last minute when Chan Chu Yin (NY #6) scored four points to give Nanyang a 17-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Nanyang pulled ahead to 22-15 at the start of the second quarter with a three-pointer, but Unity’s Diane Seow (#10) led a 9-6 run to tie the game 28-28 at half time.
The third quarter was another close affair with both teams on fire and trading baskets. Nanyang tried to sustain a narrow lead over Unity but a Unity free throw tied it up 37-37 at half time.
Not long after the start of the last quarter, Unity’s #12 suffered an unfortunate ankle injury and had to retire from the game.
When the game resumed, Nanyang dropped in three two-pointers, but Unity replied with four points of their own to trail by four points (41-45) with four minutes left as the game reached its peak.
However, Tan Jiaqi (Nanyang #5), who scored 10 points in the game, pulled Nanyang further ahead with 30 seconds left on the clock, allowing their supporters to breathe a little easier. Unity came back with a three-pointer in the last 15 seconds but Nanyang held on to win the game 56-49.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
NYGH vs US
1st Q: 17-15
2nd Q: 11-13 (28-28)
3rd Q: 9-9 (37-37)
4th Q: 19-12 (56-49)
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