West Zone B Div Bball (Boys): Jurongville beat Commonwealth 49–35 to remain in contention

Story By Zachary Foo/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

Liew Yue Jun (Jurongville #7) goes up for the uncontested layup on the break against Commonwealth. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Friday, February 7, 2014 — Jurongville Secondary kept their hopes of qualifying for round two of the West Zone B Division Basketball Championship alive with a 49–35 win over Commonwealth Secondary.

The game started off slow as both teams were unable to convert their open shots. Jurongville then adopted a high-trap formation, which allowed them to jump the passing lanes and get steals. Jurongville went on a 9–0 run that gave them a comfortable lead. Commonwealth had easy looks at the rim, but inexplicably failed to convert them. Jurongville (#9) was key for his team, scoring the bulk of their points in the first quarter. Jurongville took a 14–6 lead into the second quarter.

Jurongville then switched to a 2-3 zone at the start of the second quarter, hounding Commonwealth’s perimeter players as well as stealing any passes to the interior. However, as the period wore on, Commonwealth started to find their offensive rhythm. They gradually put points up on the board, trimming the lead that Jurongville put up. By halftime, Jurongville only held a five-point 22–17 lead.

The third quarter started with scrappy plays by both sides, as they fought to take control of the game. Just when it seemed that Commonwealth made a breakthrough, Jurongville duly replied with a run that extended the lead to 37–27 at the end of the period.

Again, Commonwealth showed their never-say-die spirit in the fourth quarter, scoring four straight points. Jurongville looked a little uneasy at this point, as their shots at the rim were missing. However, a tactical decision on the defensive end prove to be the game-changer. Jurongville switched to a half-court press, which harassed the Commonwealth ball-handlers and led to multiple steals. This enabled them close out the game with an eventual 49–35 win. The win puts Jurongville joint-second in their group, tied with Hua Yi Secondary. Although Jurongville have a better head-to-head record, beating Hua Yi 51–30 in an earlier group game.

Jurongville captain, Hartley Muze (#12) commented, “There is a lot of room for improvement. We have to try not to fear our opponents and crave for the win more.”

Scoring by Quarter
Commonwealth vs Jurongville
1st Quarter: 6–14
2nd Quarter: 11–8 (17–22)
3rd Quarter: 10–15 (27–37)
4th Quarter: 8–12 (35–49)

Top Scorers
Commonwealth
Tan Hu Soon (#10) – 20 points

Jurongville
Yap Kai Xuan (#8) – 18 points

Commonwealth Roster
Elkan Wee Teng Siong (#4), Sia Pei Xiang (#5), Tyrone Cheah Jun (#6), Lee Jia Jun Joseph (#7), Ngoh Wei Yue (#8), Goh Chan Herng (#9), Tan Hu Soon (#10), Myint Khaing Oo (#11), Tan Yi Xi (#12), Lee Zhi Xuan (#13), Wang Zixi (#14), Lim Tian Bao (#15)

Jurongville Roster
Alwin Koh (#4), Chin Chang An (#5), Shawn Tan (#6), Liew Yue Jun (#7), Yap Kai Xuan (#8), Xing Han (#9), Zen (#10), Terrence Lim (#11), Hartley Muze (#12), Yong Kang (#13), Jun Wei (#14), Bernard Yong (#15)

2014 West Zone B Division Basketball Championship (Boys) – Fixtures and Results

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