Story By Zachary Foo/Red Sports

Lim Bei Xuan nailing the free throw that sealed Yishun Town’s win. Bei Xuan scored 10 points to lead her team. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, April 10, 2014 — Yishun Town Secondary (YTS) secured a place in the national semi-final with a hard-fought 34–31 win over Deyi Secondary (DYS). This will be Yishun Town’s second appearance in the top four in the history of the school.

This was a rematch of the North Zone final, which Deyi won 50–29. Yishun Town managed to erase that memory by eking out a close win.

Mabel Koh led all scorers with 11 points. Lai Mei Zeng (YTS #10) and Lim Bei Xuan (YTS #11) had 10 points apiece in their team’s victory. Bei Xuan scored the final three free throws to ice the game and seal Yishun Town’s berth in the semi-final.

The first quarter saw Yishun Town racing out to a four-point lead. Deyi made a lot of sloppy passes, turning the ball over to Yishun Town. Yishun Town also managed to prevent Priya Latha (DYS #15) from making use of her height to her advantage.

Yishun Town slowly pulled away in the second quarter, as Deyi were unable to find the basket. Mabel Koh (DYS #7) was the only player to get on the score sheet in the period.

Deyi showed some signs of life in the third quarter, as they started on a 5–1 run. They were led by Mabel (DYS #7), who continuously attacked the Yishun Town defence at every opportunity. However, Yishun Town still held a five-point lead going into the final period.

The final quarter saw Yishun Town put in a bad spot. Deyi drove aggressively to the rim, drawing fouls each time. Yishun Town found themselves in the penalty as a result. Mabel (DYS #7) streaked down the court for another lay up, tying the game at 31–all. However, those were the last points Deyi would score in the game.

Lim Bei Xuan (YTS #11) showed nerves of steel to sink her last three free throws, putting Yishun Town into the national semi-final.

Yishun Town captain, Nicole Beh (#8), said “This is our second time in the national semi-final, so we are extremely happy. I am very proud of my team’s display today. Our defence was tight and aggressive. We exacted revenge against Deyi after going down to them in the North Zone final.”

Yishun Town joint-top scorer, Lim Bei Xuan (#11), added, “I hope our free throws improve in time for the national semi-final.”

Scoring by Quarter
Yishun Town Secondary vs Deyi Secondary
1st Quarter: 5–7
2nd Quarter: 2–7 (7–14)
3rd Quarter: 9–7 (16–21)
4th Quarter: 15–13 (31–34)

Top Scorers
Yishun Town
Lai Mei Zeng (#10) – 10 points
Lim Bei Xuan (#11) – 10 points

Deyi
Mabel Koh (#7) – 11 points

Yishun Town Roster
Teo Shi Ting (#5), Ho Wei Ting (#6), Intan Afiqah (#7), Nicole Beh (#8), Kesshini(#9), Lai Mei Zeng (#10), Lim Bei Xuan (#11), Leong Jing Wen (#12), Leong Le Yi (#13), Amelia Wong Ke Xin (#14), Tan Jie Ling (#15)

Deyi Roster
Soh Hui Xing (#4), Leona Ng (#5), Jaslyn Wong (#6), Mabel Koh (#7), Lee JiaTong (#8), Tan Nai Yan (#9), Joleen Loo (#10), JiaLi Lew (#11), Joanne Lim (#12), Ng Jing Wen (#13), Nicole Tan (#14), Priya Latha (#15)

National B Division Girls Basketball Championship — Fixtures and Results

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