By Zachary Foo/Red Sports

Han Xing Yue (NYGH #11) shoots over her defender. Xing Yue played an integral role on defence in NYGH’s win. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, 25 August, 2014 — Nanyang Girls’ High School (NYGH) are through to their second consecutive final after beating Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) 50–43 in the semi-final of the National C Division Girls Basketball Championship. Rachel Yeo (SCGS #10) led all scorers with 21 points, while Adeline Wong (NYGH #7) led her team with 15 points.

NYGH trailed for the first three quarters, before Adeline Wong’s (NYGH #7) shots started going in. She scored all of her points in the final quarter and overtime to lead her team into the final.

Caroline Gregory (SCGS #11) opened the scoring for SCGS with four quick points. They packed the paint on defence, allowing them to negate NYGH’s height advantage in the front court. This was successful early on as NYGH struggled to score in the paint. NYGH consistently attacked the rim early on, drawing a lot of fouls that put SCGS in the penalty. After struggling to score initially, Xing Yue (NYGH #11) was able to make two free throws to keep her team close. SCGS were up 12–5 at the end of the first quarter.

The second period saw NYGH take the lead, as SCGS endured a dry scoring spell. Baskets by Ivon Kong (NYGH #8) and Ho Wei Lin (NYGH #13) put them in a comfortable position. Rachel Mok (SCGS #10) ended SCGS’s dry spell with a made free throw midway through the quarter. Ho Wei Lin (NYGH #13) was a significant factor in the quarter for NYGH, as her drives to the basket drew a lot of SCGS fouls.

The third period was a battle of attrition between both teams. Han Xing Yue (NYGH #11) and Tan Qi Qing (NYGH #12) stepped up for NYGH on both ends of the court. They contributed well on both ends. Rachel Mok (SCGS #10) and Caroline Gregory (SCGS #11) were the engine room for SCGS. Both girls tried to drive hard to the basket each time, only to be met by the towering figures of Xing Yue (NYGH #11) and Qi Qing (NYGH #12). By the end of the period, NYGH trailed only by two points, setting the stage for the final period.

Rachel Mok (SCGS #10) and Shannon Tiong (SCGS #4) scored two quick baskets to give SCGS a six-point lead. Up till now, Adeline Wang (NYGH #7) was experiencing a scoring drought, as she was unable to score in the first three quarters. However, she made her shots when it mattered most. She made two three-pointers to go along with a putback by Tan Qi Qing (NYGH #12), sparking a 10–0 run giving NYGH their first lead of the game. Not to be outdone, Rachel Mok (SCGS #10) had her own display of brilliance, taking back the lead with seven straight points of her own. Han Xing Yue (NYGH #11) then inched her team forward after scoring a foul-in, but Rachel Mok (SCGS #10) showed her composure to sink one free throw to tie the game. When the buzzer sounded, both teams were tied at 40, sending the game into overtime.

It became evident that fatigue got the better of SCGS in overtime, as they struggled to score. NYGH on the other hand, had no problems at all. Tan Qi Qing (NYGH #12) and Ho Wei Lin (NYGH #13) both contributed to the scoring in the period, while Adeline Wang (NYGH #7) sealed the victory with a dagger three-pointer. NYGH eventually took the match 50–43 and will face Anglican High in the final at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, at the OCBC Arena. It will be a rematch of the previous year’s final, where Anglican High beat NYGH 44–37.

NYGH captain, Adeline Wong (#7), said, “It was a very thrilling match. We were very scared to lose, that was why we started the match badly. We hope to get back what we lost last year and take home the championship.”

Score by quarter
Nanyang Girls’ High School vs Singapore Chinese Girls’ School

1st quarter: 5–12
2nd quarter: 9–6 (14–18)
3rd quarter: 12–10 (26–28)
4th quarter: 14–12 (40–40)
Overtime: 10–3 (50–43)

Top Scorers
NYGH
Adeline Wong (#7) – 15 points

SCGS
Rachel Yeo (#10) – 21 points

NYGH Roster
Glades Tan (#4), Lavelle Wong (#5), Erin Ng (#6), Adeline Wong (#7), Ivon Kong (#8), Tan Liqi (#9), Zolynn Lau (#10), Han Xing Yue (#11), Tan Qi Qing (#12), Ho Wei Lin (#13), Liu Bao Man (#14), Chan Yu Cheng (#15)

SCGS Roster
Shannon Tiong (#4), Larissa Lim (#5), Ang Chyi Yen (#6), Patricia Orenza (#7), Briana Lee (#8), Aisling Lum (#9), Rachel Yeo (#10), Caroline Gregory (#11), Nadia Ghani (#12), Mabel Anton (#13), Lee Yan (#14), Phoebe Kee (#15)

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