Story by Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports. Photos by REDintern Chua Zhen Rong.
Koh Wei Guan (NB #8) prepares to take a shot. (Photo 1 © REDintern Chua Zhen Rong)
OCBC Arena, Tuesday, February 22, 2017 — After a close fight between two evenly-matched teams, Woodgrove Secondary (WG) managed to pull away in the last quarter and defeat Naval Base Secondary (NB) 57-52 in Round 2 of the North Zone B Division Basketball Championship.
This win improves Woodgrove to a 4-1 win-loss record in Round 2, with only Presbyterian High having a better record. Both teams qualified for the semi-finals.
Koh Wei Guan (NB #8) had a game-high of 19 points, while Andy Liow (WG #14) led his team with 15.
The first quarter was a high-scoring affair. A two-pointer from Wong Jun Wei (NB #5) got the game going.
Subsequent shots from Daryl Ng (NB #13) and Seah Jin Yong (WG #8) saw the game tied 4-4 within the first minute.
Jack Yap (#10) and Andy Liow (#14) of Woodgrove extended their lead, but Koh Wei Guan (#8) of Naval Base quickly narrowed the deficit with a three-pointer to 7-9.
Woodgrove displayed strong zonal defense which forced Naval Base to go for long-range shots. Tong Qian Zhe (#15) and Jovin Chua (#12) from Naval Base were eventually rewarded with their three-pointers.
Both teams were quick to score in this quarter, leading to ties at 15-15, 17-17, and Aw Kai Jie (#6) of Woodgrove sealing the first quarter with a 19-19 tie.
The second quarter saw both teams focusing on their defense. Naval Base tried to score but Woodgrove were quick to intercept. Daryl Ng (NB #13) attempted to break away from the Woodgrove defence for a basket, but could only convert it to a free throw.
Woodgrove displayed a more aggressive offense after a timeout. Jack Yap (WG #10) narrowly missed a three-pointer but Jack Lacsado (#7) grabbed the rebound.
A reverse layup by Aw Kai Jie (WG #6) concluded the second quarter and narrowed the deficit to 24-25.
Andy Liow (#14) of Woodgrove scored 10 points in the third quarter alone. Owen Liow (WG #11) was another strong player that scored twice despite being marked by three defenders on several occasions.
Naval Base also put up a strong fight, with Koh Wei Guan (#8) scoring another three-pointer. Andy Liow (WG #14) had an easy two but Lee Zheng Lin (NB #6) responded with a quick lay-in and Tong Qian Zhe (NB #15) following suit.
Woodgrove still trailed by one point (38-39) at the end of the third quarter.
Koh Wei Guan (NB #8) started the last quarter with a three-pointer but Jack Yap (WG #10) and Aw Kai Jie (WG #6) tied the score up to 42-42.
Both teams were desperate to break away but were not getting their shots in. Naval Base then scored two consecutive 2-pointers after a timeout which forced Woodgrove to play catch up.
Woodgrove narrowly edged ahead when Andy Liow (WG #14) scored a 2-pointer and one. Owen Liow (WG #11) and Jack Yap (WG #10) then widened the gap even further to 54-47.
Woodgrove then played man-to-man defense and denied many shots from their opponents. Nonetheless, Naval Base put up a fight with Koh Wei Guan (#8) and Tong Qian Zhe (#15) slotting in another two 2-pointers.
However, Owen Liow (WG #11) closed the match off with a free throw, allowing Woodgrove to secure a 57-52 win.
Woodgrove will play against North Vista Secondary in the semi-final on Tuesday, February 28, at Republic Polytechnic.
Scoring by Quarter
Woodgrove vs Naval Base
1st Q: 19-19
2nd Q: 5-6 (24-25)
3rd Q: 14-14 (38-39)
4th Q: 19-13 (57-52)
Top Scorers
Woodgrove
Liow Cheng Lin Andy (#14) – 15 points
Liow Cheng Xun Owen (#11) – 14 points
Aw Kai Jie (#6) – 12 points (2 x 3-pointers)
Seah Jin Yong (#8) – 7 points
Yap Chun Jack (#10) – 7 points
Naval Base
Koh Wei Guan (#8) – 19 points (3 x 3-pointers)
Tong Qian Zhe (#15) – 9 points (1 x 3-pointer)
Wong Jun Wei (#5) – 9 points
Jovin Chua (#12) – 8 points (1 x 3-pointer)
Woodgrove Roster
Edwin Soo Ian Zhang (#4), Chong Shao Kai, Sky (#5), Aw Kai Jie (#6), Lacsado Jack William Santiago (#7), Seah Jin Yong (#8), Chen Pengkun (#9), Yap Chun Jack (#10), Liow Cheng Xun Owen (#11), Andy Lim Jia En (#12), Soh Keng Yip (#13), Liow Cheng Lin Andy (#14), Fang Hanbin (#15)
Naval Base Roster
Darrel See (#4), Wong Jun Wei (#5), Lee Zheng Lin (#6), Saathiyash (#7), Koh Wei Guan (#8), Lim Xuan Le (#9), Gerald Oh (#10), Adlridge Kee (#11), Jovin Chua (#12), Daryl Ng (#13), Ajakannan (#14), Tong Qian Zhe (#15)
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