Story By Zachary Foo/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Ng Pin Jie (Pioneer #7) finds space for the layup attempt against Boon Lay. Pin Jie contributed 16 points in Pioneer’s victory. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Friday, February 7, 2014 — Pioneer Secondary boosted their chances of qualifying for round two of the West Zone B Division Basketball Championship with a tense 37–35 win over Boon Lay Secondary.
Ng Pin Jie (Pioneer #7) had a game-high 16 points, while Daniel Poh (Boon Lay #14) scored 15 to lead his team.
Early on, both teams turned the ball over frequently. There were many change of possessions with no shot attempts, that it seemed completely unlike a basketball game. Boon Lay emerged with the lead first, putting points on the board via free throws. Pioneer tried to swing the ball around the perimeter on offence, but were unable to find a way past Boon Lay’s defence. Any Pioneer drives into the paint were stifled by two Boon Lay players clamping down on the ball-handler. Boon Lay held an 11–5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Pioneer shrugged off the offensive woes in the second quarter, finding most of their baskets off fast breaks. Pin Jie (Pioneer #7) was key for his team, scoring on fast breaks as well as showcasing exceptional vision to assist his teammates. Even though Boon Lay was decimated on defence, they managed to find a way to score against the flow of the game as they kept the lead close. Pioneer managed to overturn the deficit from the first quarter, taking a slim 22–18 lead into the half.
In the third quarter, Pioneer switched to a zone defence, which granted them a modicum of success. However, they started to stagnate on offence, which led to a very low-scoring quarter. Boon Lay managed to fight their way back, pouring in 11 points to snatch a one-point lead (29–28) heading into the decisive final period.
The final quarter saw both teams trading baskets back and forth. Pioneer had the lion’s share of possessions, using good defence to notch steals. Unfortunately, bad finishing on the fast break negated that advantage. With Pioneer up by two points (37–35) and time running out, Pin Jie (Pioneer #7) turned over the ball to Boon Lay. This gave Boon Lay the opportunity to tie the game on the fast break. However, Wang Tenggui (Boon Lay #7) was unable to convert the open look, sealing the win for Pioneer.
Pioneer captain Ong Guang Hui (#10) said, “We did not do our best. We need to work on our shots and defence. Most importantly, we have to improve our teamwork and communication in our next game.”
Boon Lay captain Daniel (#14) commented, “Overall, I think the team did very well, but we could have defended the last possession better. Every one put in their best effort.”
Scoring by Quarter
Pioneer Secondary vs Boon Lay Secondary
1st Quarter: 5–11
2nd Quarter: 17–7 (22–18)
3rd Quarter: 6–11 (28–29)
4th Quarter: 9–6 (37–35)
Top Scorers
Pioneer Secondary
Ng Pin Jie (#7) – 16 points
Boon Lay Secondary
Daniel Poh (#14) – 15 points
Pioneer Secondary Roster
Yap Jun Hong (#4), Khor Zhi Xiong (#5), Goh Dong Jing (#6), Ng Pin Jie (#7), Hoe Zheng Yi (#8), Alwin Lim Jing Qin (#9), Ong Guang Hui (#10), Kesavan S/O Raman (#11), Ng Jia Ding (#12), Tan Wei Jian (#13), Tan Guan Hao (#14), Reece Low Jiajun (#15)
Boon Lay Secondary Roster
Wong Song Yi (#4), Ong Yeow Koon Jaron (#5), Titus Tan Jing Kai (#6), Wang Tenggui (#7), Tan Kar Xian (#8), Tumbo Cris Vince (#9), Aidil Sufyan B Abdullah (#10), Tan Yi Zhi (#11), Tyrone Tan Jing Long (#12), Chong Minlon (#13), Poh Yong Xian Daniel (#14), Yoe Fang Rayner (#15)
2014 West Zone B Division Basketball Championship (Boys) – Fixtures and Results
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