By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Jackson (Yuan Ching #7) drives against Khairi (Juying #15). Yuan Ching defeated Juying 33–29 in the opening game. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Wednesday, January 15, 2014 — On the opening day of the West Zone B Division Basketball Championship, Yuan Ching and Bukit Batok scraped narrow victories, while New Town, Jurong and Bukit Panjang secured comfortable victories over their respective opponents.
In the opening game, Yuan Ching Secondary posted a 33–29 victory over Juying Secondary. It was a scrappy match-up with both teams evenly matched. Malcolm Tham (#15) contributed a game-high 14 points but it was the play of Jackson Bey (#7) that propelled Yuan Ching to victory. The speedy Jackson penetrated the paint easily with his drives and kicked out the ball on several occasions to his open teammates for the higher percentage basket. Both Juying’s Gabriel Ho (#10) and Xu Jia Po (#13) recorded nine points in the loss.
Jackson, Yuan Ching’s captain, commented: “We’re happy that we won. We felt nervous in the first half, but coach calmed us down in the second. We really hope to get into the second round because we have been unable to do so in the past years.”
The following game saw Bukit Batok Secondary surviving a late comeback by Westwood Secondary to win 40–35. Westwood could not find any offensive rhythm throughout as they trailed Bukit Batok by 17 points at the end of the third quarter. Westwood mounted a valiant comeback effort in the final quarter through an impressive full court defensive press, outscoring Bukit Batok 16–4. But it was not enough as Bukit Batok held on for the eventual win. Bukit Batok’s Clarence Ngay (#8) proved vital in the game as his height and athleticism allowed his dominance on the defensive end with several key boards and blocks. Clarence also contributed 12 points, before fouling out in the final quarter. Westwood’s Lee Rong Zhi (#14) poured in 12 points in the loss.
In the neighbouring court, New Town Secondary secured an easy 78–35 victory over Chua Chu Kang Secondary. The game was never a close affair as New Town led from start to finish, bolstered by the team’s aggressive play and dominance in the paint. New Town’s Jeremy Anand (#8) went for 18 points, most of which came from rebound putbacks off his teammates’ missed baskets. Chua Chu Kang’s Ho Junn Wey (#6) recorded a team-high 12 points in the loss.
Jurong Secondary recorded a comfortable 63–15 win over Clementi Town Secondary in the next game. On offence, Jurong displayed a commanding presence both along the perimeter and inside the restricted zone. Needless to say, on the defensive end, Jurong utilized their trademark defensive presses to restrict Clementi Town. Jurong’s (#9) bagged 14 points while Clementi Town’s Wesley Yeo (#7) recorded nine points in the contest.
The final game saw Bukit Panjang Govt High taking home a convincing 67–27 win against Hillgrove Secondary. The speedy and athletic duo of Ang Zi Yang (#5) and Tan Jia You (#11) proved too much for Hillgrove to handle. Zi Yang and Jia You scored 16 points and 24 points respectively. Hillgrove’s Tan Zhi En (#5) recorded a team-high nine points in the loss.
2014 West Zone B Division Basketball Championship (Boys) – Fixtures and Results
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