Story and photo by REDintern Low Zheng Yu

north zone b div bball north vista vs ahmad ibrahim

Ye Hui (NV #7) looks for the perfect opportunity, He had a game high 10 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)

OCBC Arena, Monday, February 21, 2017 — High intensity defense of North Vista Secondary School (NV) stopped Ahmad Ibrahim (AI) Secondary 61-19 in the North Zone B Division Basketball Boys Championship.

With this win, North Vista are currently tied with Catholic High for second place with 7 points in Group 2. They will play against Christ Church next and must win to stand a chance to enter the semi-finals.

Ahmad Ibrahim had previously defeated Punggol 48-32 and Edgefield 53-40 while losing to Christ Church. This loss placed them in third place with 6 points.

Once the ball was tipped, North Vista wasted no time in getting to work. They set up their full court press defense to stop Ahmad Ibrahim’s offense.

Their defense intensity was high. Faced with such an adversary, Ahmad Ibrahim were powerless and had many turnovers.

North Vista capitalized on the turnovers and went on many fast-breaks. They converted the turnovers into points and pulled away. The first quarter ended with North Vista up 17-2.

While Ahmad Ibrahim tried to fight back, things were not going their way. Many different players made good moves and drove all the way in for the open basket. However, their shots just could not fall.

Faced with such an overwhelming defensive pressure, coupled with a poor shooting performance, Ahmad Ibrahim had no chance of catching up.

North Vista went on to take the game 61-19 with 19 of their players contributing to the score. Ye Hui (NV #7) had a game-high 10 points.

North Vista captain, Ye Hui (NV #7) said, “We moved our legs and hands to give our opponents pressure. It made them fumble the ball leading to turnover points. It is a great win for our guys, it is good to see all stepping up.

“Almost everybody scored and we all contributed in one way or another. When all of us contribute, we are stronger together.”

His teammate Tiong Chuan Yao (NV #9) added, “We did great in our defense. We know the importance of winning is through defense and we need to defend to get past the second round. We were also more hungry, we wanted the ball more.

“We started great and never looked back. Other players also stepped up big time for us. They were here when we needed them.”

Scoring by Quarter
North Vista vs Ahmad Ibrahim
1st Q: 17-2
2nd Q: 10-5 (27-7)
3rd Q: 10-7 (37-14)
4th Q 24-5 (61-19)

Top Scorers
North Vista
Ye Hui (#7) – 10 pts
Sim Yi (#5) – 8 pts

Ahmad Ibrahim
Angelo Mesina (#15) – 6 pts
Zafir (#24) – 5 pts

North Vista Roster
Justen Chiam (#0), Chan Qi Feng (#3), Vincent Gerard (#4), Sim Yi (#5), Ye Hui (#7), Willie Tan (#8), Tiong Chuan Yao (#9), Reuben David (#12), Jarren Neo (#13), Lim Joe Yang (#21), Dorian Chin (#23), Jayson Yanoria (#24)

Ahmad Ibrahim Roster
Denzel Tan (#1), Louis Ho (#4), Sau Yong Teong (#10), Yik Han (#12), Angelo Mesina (#15), Cedrick James Tupas Castro (#17), Tang Wei Long (#18), Li Chen Bin (#19), Thomas Tan (#21), Tanner Lim (#23), Zafir (#24), Elvis Ye (#75)

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