Story by REDintern Denise Chia. Photos by REDintern Chua Kai Yun

Joelle Thng (CHIJ #11) catches the ball. She scored a game-high 20 points leading her team to victory. (Photo 1 © REDintern Chua Kai Yun)

Joelle Thng (CHIJ #11) catches the ball. She scored a game-high 20 points leading her team to victory. (Photo 1 © REDintern Chua Kai Yun)

OCBC Arena, Wednesday, January 27, 2016 — CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) fought hard against St. Margaret’s Secondary (SMS) to triumph 30-18 in the South Zone B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.

Joelle Thng (#11) of CHIJ scored a game-high 20 points while Xiao Chengxin (#11) of St. Margaret’s led her team with 10.

CHIJ won the tip off and Isabelle Monteiro (#25) scored the first two points of the game within the first 5 seconds.

Both teams had speed and had to devise other ways of bringing the ball across the court. CHIJ in particular took advantage of open spaces. However, this was insufficient to trouble Chengxin (SMS #11) , with slightly over a minute to spare, exhibited swift footwork and excellent dribbling to weave her way through CHIJ’s defence to score the first two points for St. Margaret’s.

Teammate Ng Qi Lin (SMS #14) quickly followed suit, scoring two more points for her team before the first quarter was up for her team to lead 4-2.

However, the tables were turned when CHIJ upped their offence in the second quarter to put together two 6-point runs. They also altered their defence strategy, pressuring the opponent with the ball into stepping out of the court.

Joelle (CHIJ #11) took advantage of her height over her opponents to intercept shots and passes. She also scored all of CHIJ’s baskets in the second quarter to help her team lead 12-7 at half time.

In a nail-biting third quarter, things were looking up for St. Margaret’s as they managed to reduce the gap and threatened to bounce back into the lead. St. Margaret’s also started to adopt a different defensive approach, opting for zonal rather than man-on-man defence.

With CHIJ leading 15-12, the intensity of the game increased. CHIJ also began to adopt a standard scoring procedure: Claire Tay (CHIJ #9) made fast breaks before passing to teammate Joelle (CHIJ #11) who used her height advantage and precise aim to score more baskets for CHIJ.

At the very last second of the third quarter, Leong Jia Ling (CHIJ #99) managed to score two points to cheers from the crowd as CHIJ widened their lead to four points (19-15) heading into the fourth quarter.

Xiao Chengxin (SMS #11) played especially well in the last quarter, scoring a basket within the first two minutes owing to her speedy footwork and skilful ball handling. She also stood out in defence, intercepting a reverse layup by Jia Ling (CHIJ #99). Alas, St. Margaret’s were unable to close the gap and CHIJ went on to win 30-18.

“We had no rhythm at the first part of the game, but we were quite okay from the third quarter onwards,” said Rene Siu (#14), vice-captain of CHIJ. Captain Claire Tay (CHIJ #9) agreed, stating that they fumbled a lot in the beginning.

“It was a challenging game,” said vice-captain Tania Abraham (#28).

“It was very intense!” added Rene.

All three captains agree that their centre, Joelle Thng (#11), played excellently for the game.

Scoring by Quarter
CHIJ (Toa Payoh) vs St. Margaret’s
1st Q: 2-4
2nd Q: 10-3 (12-7)
3rd Q: 7-8 (19-15)
4th Q: 11-3 (30-18)

Top Scorers
CHIJ (Toa Payoh)
Joelle Thng (#11) – 20 points

St. Margaret’s
Xiao Chengxin (#11) – 10 points (1 x 3-pointer)

CHIJ (Toa Payoh) Roster
Rachel Yap (#7), Claire Tay (#9), Sarah Tan (#10), Joelle Thng (#11), Rene Siu (#14), Ashley Ler (#24), Isabelle Monteiro (#25), Anne Marie Yap (#27), Tania Abraham (#28), Yan Ning (#33), Yarinda Ang (#82), Leong Jia Ling (#99)

St. Margaret’s Roster
Faith Yam (#4), Joswara Ming Hui (#5), Vanessa Au (#6), Ivory Lim (#7), Linette Lum (#8), Feng Qi Ling (#9), Chen Min (#10), Xiao Chengxin (#11), Megan Chin (#12), Fang Hui Hui (#13), Ng Qi Lin (#14), Adele Low (#15)

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