Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Gwendaline (NASS #8) considers her options. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Friday, March 23, 2018 — Ngee Ann Secondary School (NASS) survived the last quarter push by Kranji Secondary School (KSS) to earn a 44-41 victory in the preliminary rounds of the National B Division Girls’ Basketball Championship.
With that, Ngee Ann end their season with a 1-2 win-loss record while Kranji have lost all three of their games.
Both teams had started off strong and traded baskets, but it was Kranji who took the first quarter 10-8.
Making use of the break to compose themselves, Ngee Ann came into the second quarter increasing their defensive intensity. They were able to get several defensive stops and went on a huge 20-7 second quarter.
Ngee Ann’s captain, Gwendaline (NASS #8) had a game-high 27 points as she converted on several transition baskets to help her team stay ahead of Kranji.
Just when it seemed like the game was in Ngee Ann’s bag, Kranji put forth a valiant fourth-quarter run. They took advantage of Ngee Ann’s lack of transition defense to score several transition baskets.
“We played really well as a team for our last game. We communicated well and we displayed good teamwork. All in all, it was really a good game despite the loss as we have been stumbling around in the past two matches. Even though we started off shaky, we got our act together and played well.” says team captain of Kranji, Teo Wan Yu (KSS #9).
Just when Kranji were about to complete the comeback, fatigue finally caught up and they missed two crucial open baskets which would have given them the lead. Ngee Ann eventually won the game 44-41 as they made their free-throws down the stretch to secure their victory.
Despite the loss, Wan Yu (KSS #9) said, “Even though our journey has ended, but it has been a pleasure and honor to play with this team that plays so hard.”
Gwendaline (NASS #8) also commented, “We didn’t give up. They (Kranji) were able to catch up at the end despite us leading by a lot in the first and second quarter. We were able to remain composed to get the win. This being the last year for some of us and the last game for our season today, I am proud that we did our best. All the best to my juniors next year.”
Scoring by Quarters
Ngee Ann vs Kranji
1st Q: 8-10
2nd Q: 20-7 (28-17)
3rd Q: 10-12 (38-29)
4th Q: 6-12 (44-41)
Top Scorers
Ngee Ann
Gwendaline (#8) – 27 pts
Kranji
Teo Wan Yu (#9) – 17 pts
Cheap Kang Yee (#11) – 11 pts
Ngee Ann Roster
Jia Hui (#4), Qian Qian (#5), An Ting (#6), Hanni (#7), Gwendaline (#8), Enqi (#9), Kelly (#12), Amber (#13), Nabilah (#16), Melanie (#20), Khaliqah (#21)
Kranji Roster
Chan Jia Xuan (#4), Alayna Tan (#5), Chen Lin (#6), Lee li Xuan Claire (#7), Tabitha Magendran (#8), Teo Wan Yu (#9), Nurul umi namirah (#10), Cheap Kang Yee (#11), Dalili Bte mohd Abbas (#12), Nur Maisarah Juraimi (#13), Sammi Chng (#14), Joey Tay (#15)
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