Story by REDintern Edina Tan. Photos by REDintern Chua Kai Yun.

Axl Teo (AIS #7) drives past the defence before he goes for a lay-in. He scored a game-high 11 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © REDintern Chua Kai Yun)

Axl Teo (AIS #7) drives past the defence before he goes for a lay-in. He scored a game-high 11 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © REDintern Chua Kai Yun)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, January 29, 2016 — Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary (AIS) secured their third win of the season as well as a place in the second round with their 66-27 victory over Hougang Secondary (HSS) in the North Zone B Division Basketball Championship. It was a game where Ahmad Ibrahim started off slowly but they gradually picked up pace.

Axl Teo (AIS #7) was the top scorer of the match with 11 points, while Brandon Scott (HSS #6) led his team with nine.

The first quarter opened with a three-pointer from Axl (AIS #7), which was matched by a three-pointer from Donathan (HSS #5). A successful free throw from Axl (AIS #7) earned them the lead five minutes into the quarter.

Ahmad Ibrahim maintained their half-court press, but this could not stop Brandon Scott (HSS #6) from getting in a basket with his speed.

A time-out call was made in the later half of the quarter with Ahmad Ibrahim leading by just 12-11. This woke Ahmad Ibrahim up, as Chenbin (AIS #5), Brandon (AIS #12) and Wei Long (AIS #13) all scored baskets within seconds of each other and they pulled away into an 18-11 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Hougang’s defence struggle to stop their opponents, who with a combination of good communication and gameplay, manage to surge ahead to 35-20 at half time.

In the third quarter, both teams starting losing steam as more shots were missed. Ahmad Ibrahim still managed to outscore Hougang 12-7, including a pair of successful free throws from Michael (AIS #8). Ahmad Ibrahim led 47-27 at the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter saw Lian Zheng (AIS #14) on a scoring streak, as he notched six points with his quick reflexes and offensive rebounds. Axl (AIS #7) also scored two three-pointers in this quarter as Ahmad Ibrahim blanked Hougang 19-0 to secure the 66-27 victory.

Ahmad Ibrahim captain Gabriel (#15) said, “It was quite a good match though we did not play well in the earlier part. We still respect our opponents, and aim to improve on our defence, communication as well as teamwork.”

Scoring by Quarter
Ahmad Ibrahim vs Hougang
1st Quarter: 18-11
2nd Quarter: 17-9 (35-20)
3rd Quarter: 12-7 (47-27)
4th Quarter: 19-0 (66-27)

Top Scorers
Ahmad Ibrahim
Axl Teo (#7) – 11 points
Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Zafir (#14) – 7 points

Hougang
Toh Jia Wei Brandon Scott (#6) – 9 points
Rahmat B Adnan (#11) – 6 points

Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary Roster
Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Zafir (#14), Li Chenbin (#5), Tan Yi Xiang, Thomas (#6), Gabriel Angelo Bautista Mesina (#15), Michael Justin Nolasco Esplana (#8), Tang Wei Long (#13), Axl Teo Zheng Hui (#7), Tan Jian Hua Brandon (#12), Tay Li Yang (#4), Woon Zhan Ming (#11), Brian Sim Lee Jun Wei (#10), Chan Chen Hong (#9)

Hougang Secondary Roster
See Yan Siew (#4), Goh Donathan (#5), Toh Jia Wei Brandon Scott (#6), Reno Tan Wee Chai (#7), Hong Chee Liang (#8), Terry Ho Wai Kin (#9), Tan Jing Long Jerome (#10), Rahmat B Adnan (#11), Lim Yi Fei (#12), Daryl Ang Zhen Ping (#13), Lee Lian Zheng (#14), Benig Jed Paolo Cabardo (#15)

North Zone B Division Basketball Championship – fixtures and results

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