Story by Redintern Emer Hoong. Photos by Jerald Ang/Red Sports.
Benjamin Chen (NJC #21) keeps possession while under pressure from IJC. (Photo 1 © Jerald Ang/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, April 6, 2016 — National Junior College (NJC) defeated Innova Junior College (IJC) 66-43 in their opening game of the National A Division Basketball Championship.
Wang Yuhang (#12) had a game-high 14 points for NJC.
Both teams matched each other and it was not until 3 minutes into the game before Rithik Bansal (NJC #1) scored the first basket.
NJC set the pace of the game, playing an aggressive full-court press, making it difficult for IJC to bring the ball up the court. IJC struggled to bring the ball past the half court line, and NJC attacked relentlessly, to build a 25-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.
IJC then came back stronger in the second quarter. They started to attack more with drives into the paint, drawing fouls to earn free throws. It was a much closer contest in the second quarter, with NJC outscoring IJC by just two points (13-11). However, their big first quarter helped in giving them a 38-17 lead at half time.
NJC, seeing their opponent catching up, took control in the third quarter. They managed 18 points in the quarter, to take a 56-28 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw many missed passes and careless mistakes as the players were reaching their physical limits. Despite trailing, IJC managed to outscore NJC 15-10 in the quarter but it was not enough to stop NJC winning the game 66-43.
Score by Quarter
NJC vs IJC
1st Q: 6-25
2nd Q: 11-13 (17-38)
3rd Q: 11-18 (28-56)
4th Q: 15-10 (43-66)
Top Scorers
NJC
Wang Yuhang (#12) – 14 points
IJC
Joseph Peh (#10) – 10 points
NJC Roster
Jaden Rafael Yan (#0), Rithik Bansal (#1), Lim Tian Bao (#2), Jia Shuyi (#3), Chang Ziming (#5), Marcus Wee (#6), Ng Kai Bin (#7), Wang Yuhang (#12), Basant Singh (#13), Benjamin Chen (#21), Lim Weishyann (#25), Chiew Kok Seng (#35)
IJC Roster
Cliff Ng (#1), Darryl Kok (#6), Liew Jia Ming (#8), Joseph Peh (#10), Vernon Chong (#11), Benson Wong (#14), Ezra Tay (#16), John Tan (#17), Nicholas Loh (#19), Tan Jia Jun (#21), Dylan Chia (#24), Kyaw Lin Thant (#30)
National A Division Basketball Championship – fixtures and results
More photos next page
IJC Roster:
Cliff Ng (#1)
Darryl Kok (#6)
Liew Jia Ming (#8)
Joseph Peh (#10)
Vernon Chong (#11)
Benson Wong (#14)
Ezra Tay (#16)
John Tan (#17)
Nicholas Loh (#19)
Tan Jia Jun (#21)
Dylan Chia (#24)
Kyaw Lin Thant (#30)