Story by Chan Hua Zheng/Red sports. Photos by Dylan Chua/Red Sports.

Evan Teh (CHS #69) drives to the hoop. (Photo 2 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)

Evan Teh (CHS #69) drives to the hoop. (Photo 1 © Dylan Chua/Red Sports)

Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, March 21, 2016 – Catholic High (CHS) cruised to a comfortable 57-27 victory over Bukit Panjang Government High (BP) to start their National B Division Basketball Championship campaign with a win.

Luke (#5) led Catholic High with a game-high 13 points while Chua Kai Xuan (#4) contributed 10 points. Bukit Panjang were led by 6 points from Yong Keat (#14) and 5 points from Javen (#7).

Both teams had trouble with turnovers early in the opening period, as they struggled to find their mark on passes. However, Catholic High soon settled into the game and drew first blood as Chua Kai Xuan (#4) scored an underbasket and drew a foul for a 3-point play.

On the other hand, Bukit Panjang continued to struggle with turnovers, giving up fast break points to Catholic High. At the end of the first quarter, Catholic High had a huge 16-3 lead.

Catholic High drew first blood again as the second period started, with Chua Kai Xuan (#4) scoring a floater over the Bukit Panjang defense. While Bukit Panjang were able to minimise their turnovers, they could not get their shots to fall as they were unable to find their rhythm on offense.

In contrast, Catholic High were able to find easy and open shots as they moved the ball around, hitting open players for high percentage shots. Catholic High continued to pull away and at halftime, they led 32-9.

In the third, Bukit Panjang were able to get into a rhythm on offense as they started to find the range on their shots. Bukit Panjang had their best offensive output in the third period, where they matched Catholic High for 11 points in the period. Despite their improved offensive output, Bukit Panjang still trailed 20-43 going into the final quarter.

Catholic High proceeded to seal the deal in the closing period, where they outscored Bukit Panjang 14-7 and walked away with a comfortable 57-27 victory.

Bukit Panjang will next face Guangyang, while Catholic High will next play Dunman Secondary. Both matches will be held at 12.30pm on March 24 at Clementi Sports Hall.

Scoring by Quarter
Bukit Panjang vs Catholic High
1st Q: 3-16
2nd Q: 6-16 (9-32)
3rd Q: 11-11 (20-43)
4th Q: 7-14 (27-57)

Top Scorers
Bukit Panjang
Yong Keat (#14) – 6 points
Javen (#7) – 5 points

Catholic High
Luke (#5) – 13 points
Chua Kai Xuan (#4) – 10 points

Bukit Panjang Roster
Ming Xuan (#4), Adam (#5), Glen (#6), Javen (#7), Linus (#8), Jeriel (#9), Amos (#10), Marcus (#11), Josiah (#12), Jing Jie (#13), Yong Keat (#14), Valiant (#15)

Catholic High Roster
Evan Teh (#69), Chua Kai Xuan (#4), Travis Thong (#3), Luke (#5), Jay Goh (#11), Fan Yao En (#2), Gideon (#91), Yiheng (#27), Joshua Lim (#7), Justin Lee (#1), Keith Png (#15), Chan Choon Leng (#22)

National B Division Basketball Championship – fixtures and results

More photos next page