By REDintern Lim Yu-Han
Nabilah (Kranji #8) driving against Ying Yi (Jurong #15). (Photo 1 © REDintern Lim Yong Teck)
Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, April 8, 2013 — Despite losing to Jurong Secondary twice before, a determined Kranji Secondary emerged triumphant 61–57 in the second round of the National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
Jurong’s Lim Xin Yi (#9) was quick to sink in a three immediately after the tip-off, but Teo Wei Xin (#6) of Kranji wasted no time to score two consecutive jumpers. Kranji’s inability to convert after six straight offensive rebounds ended with a two-point from Solehatul Aini Bte Kamsani (#13). With Xin Yi (#9) and Ong Ying Xuan (#11) of Jurong securing most of their attempts, the team led the quarter 15–12.
Jurong used the same tactic twice by scoring a three-pointer from Ying Xuan (#11) to open the second quarter. After grabbing the rebound, Kranji’s Wei Xin (#6) slotted in her under-basket to overtake Jurong 22–20. However, Jurong’s Ying Xuan (#11) multiplied Kranji’s anxiety by closing up the score to a one-point difference, eventually assisting teammate Chermaine Wong (#7) to regain the lead at 26–25. Jurong’s aggressive defence forced Kranji to race against the 24-second shot clock for most of their attack attempts. To Kranji’s relief, Dang Jia Ning (#5) shot in a buzzer-beater to brush past Unity 27–26 at the end of the second quarter.
Nur Shahidah Bte Mohamad Saleh (#14) of Jurong scored the first four points after half-time and went on to assist Chermaine (#7) in their 6–0 run. Kranji’s Isabel Yeo (#14) halted their run with her free throw and hit a three-pointer to close up the score 31–32. However, consecutive threes from Jurong’s Ying Xuan (#11) and Chermaine (#7) helped them pull away again, leaving Kranji trailing 38–45.
The last quarter saw Nabilah Bte Alfian (#8) of Kranji inspiring her team with the first basket. Unfortunately, Jurong’s Ying Xuan (#11) came back with her five-point onslaught, inclusive of a three-pointer. Kranji pulled themselves together to sink in consecutive treys from Mariah Frahzciel V Nalzaro (#15) and Solehatul Aini (#13), who narrowed the deficit to 51–52 with two subsequent free throws.
Kranji’s Balanon Rhey Gina (#11) drained one free throw with composure to finally equalise 54–54 at the five-minute mark. Nabilah (#8) of Kranji finally turned the game around to lead 56–55 with her fast-break. Both teams battled with fatigue from the constant chasing of scores, but the resilient Kranji team finally outlasted Jurong to take home the win at 61–57.
Kranji’s captain, Toh Hui Ying (#7), commented: “The game was very competitive and challenging with the multiple lead changes. I’m glad my team persevered (on) and won today.”
An exhausted Lim Xin Yi (#9), captain of Jurong, said: “We fought really hard, but at the end we did not go for every single ball. We will continue to work hard as today’s loss was unexpected since we won Kranji the last two times we met them.”
Score by Quarter
Kranji vs Jurong
1st Quarter: 12-15
2nd Quarter: 15-11 (27-26)
3rd Quarter: 11-19 (38-45)
4th Quarter: 23-12 (61-57)
Top scorers
Kranji
Balanon Rhey Gina (#11) — 13 points (1 x 3 pointer)
Teo Wei Xin (#6) — 10 points
Jurong
Ong Ying Xuan (#11) — 21 points (3 x 3 pointers)
Chermaine Wong Jia Qi (#7) — 12 points (2 x 3 pointers)
Kranji Roster
Delvine Tan Hui Tien (#4), Dang Jia Ning (#5), Teo Wei Xin (#6), Toh Hui Ying (#7), Nabilah Bte Alfian (#8), Chia Pei Jun (#9), Tey Qi Xuan Carin (#10), Balanon Rhey Gina (#11), Kang Pei Ling (#12), Solehatul Aini Bte Kamsani (#13), Yeo Yu Yan Isabel (#14), Mariah Frahzciel V Nalzaro (#15)
Jurong Roster
Nur Diyana Bte Azmi (#4), Syahidah Bte Mohd Hashim (#5), Valerie Ker Liew Ee (#6), Chermaine Wong Jia Qi (#7), Tan Yan li Anabel (#8), Lim Xin Yi (#9), Nur Syairah Sukadi (#10), Ong Ying Xuan (#11), Tiffany Yew Siew Lan (#12), Chua Jia Yun (#13), Nur Shahidah Bte Mohamad Saleh (#14), Tan Ying Yi (#15)
2013 National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
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