By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Christian Pepito (#4) of North Vista passes the ball against Ahmad Ibrahim. The North Vista guard scored 24 points in the victory, including six three pointers. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, March 2, 2015 — North Vista Secondary’s one-two backcourt punch of Christian Pepito (#4) and Sim Xuan (#8) combined for nine three-pointers to scorch Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary 78–61 in the final of the North Zone B Division Basketball Championship. This is North Vista’s third title in four years.
Sim (#8) said, “Our three-pointers were going in, unlike the previous game where we shot badly. It feels good to finally get back the trophy. We weren’t hungry for it. We were starving for it.”
The duo, along with Sim’s (#8) older brother, Sim Zhen (#13) and Cheng Ye Hui (#7) combined for 59 points, while Ahmad Ibrahim’s frontcourt of Lakksman Ganapathy (#13) and John Cuison (#6) poured in a combined 45 points.
North Vista were champions in 2012 and 2013, but went down 82–83 in overtime to Presbyterian High last year, missing a chance at a three-peat.
In the opening quarter, North Vista capitalized on Ahmad Ibrahim’s lacklustre defence in the paint to pull down 13 offensive boards. Through second-chance baskets, North Vista established an early 12-point lead, one that they did not enjoy in the previous second round matchup against their fellow finalists. Ahmad Ibrahim won that game by a margin of five points.
Pepito (#4) and Sim (#8) took off in the second quarter, knocking down a combined five treys to bolster North Vista’s lead. Ahmad Ibrahim’s defensive woes continued in the paint, as they conceded 14 points to North Vista through second-chance baskets.
After the half, Ahmad Ibrahim regrouped to reduce the deficit to 12 points. Cuison (#6) and Ganapathy (#13), who combined for 16 points in the third, outscored the entire North Vista squad by themselves.
The Ahmad Ibrahim pair continued their performance in the final quarter, but Pepito (#4) and the older Sim (#13) stepped in as North Vista’s catalysts to spark the team to victory.
“Our players stepped up at the crucial time,” said Sim (#8).
The North Vista captain added, “Our team chemistry is getting better and better, and our team knows what are our players’ strengths and weaknesses, which is a good sign.”
Score by Quarter
North Vista vs Ahmad Ibrahim
1st quarter: 17–5
2nd quarter: 29–17 (46–22)
3rd quarter: 14–26 (60–48)
4th quarter: 18–13 (78–61)
Top scorers
North Vista
Christian Co Pepito (#4) – 24 points (6 x 3-pointers)
Sim Xuan (#8) – 13 points (3 x 3-pointers)
Sim Zhen (#13) – 12 points
Cheng Ye Hui (#7) – 10 points
Ahmad Ibrahim
Lakksman A/L Ganapathy (#13) – 25 points
Cuison John (#6) – 20 points (1 x 3-pointer)
North Vista Roster
Christian Co Pepito (#4), Clement Sim Han Xiang (#5), Nicholas Tay Zhi Kang (#6), Cheng Ye Hui (#7), Sim Xuan (#8), Ong Yan Zhi Darius (#9), Low Jia Jun, Fabian (#10), Cletus Ng Kai Jun (#11), Lim Zhi Kang (#12), Sim Zhen (#13), Lim Joe Yang (#14), Tiong Chuan Yao (#15)
Ahmad Ibrahim Roster
Benedict Oh (#4), Brandon Tan (#5), John Cuison (#6), Axl Teo Zheng Hui (#7), Michael Justin (#8), Bernard Tay (#9), Alvis Tay (#10), Woon Zhan Ming (#11), Chan Cheng Hong (#12), Lakksman A/L Ganapathy (#13), Gabriel Angelo (#14), Wong Chee Kian (#15)
North Zone B Division Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
More photos next page
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