2012: Match Report: Basketball Boys Finals

May 23rd, 2012 by CCA PRO

May 18, 2012.

Basketball Boys win the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE against strong rivals Anderson JC!

Congratulations! Here are the scores~

Overall Score: 66-53 – 15-13, 30-28, 46-42, 66-53

But the scores definitely do not reflect the action, drama and effort that went down at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall! Read on to find out more!

Game play

The match is split into 4 quarters of 10 minutes each, in between which there is a 1 break or 4 minute intermission at half time.

Scoring system

1 point—when goal scored is from free throw. Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed. Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the three-point line, then he gets three shots.

Terminologies

Offense: The team with the ball

Defense: The team without the ball. They try to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds.

Our Basketball Team

♯4 – Peter Soo

♯2 – Austin Cooper

♯6 – David Soo

♯7 – Chee Khan Liang

♯8 – Bala Tan Jun Wei

♯9 – Ang Shi He

♯10 – Raymond Loo (VC)

♯11—Lee Lai Sheng (C)

♯12 – Rolu Oyekami (C)

♯13 – Cheong Rong Hao (VC)

♯14 – Shawn Tan Kai

♯15 – Alvin Chun

The tension in the air was palpable, as our boys reveled in the atmosphere before heading down to the court to face the tough battle ahead. After a brief introduction of players and a rallying “Hwa Chong Whooosh!” cheer, the boys were ready for the much-anticipated match. Let the game begin!

First Quarter (15-13)

Our boys started the match flying, almost immediately shooting the first basket of the game and leaving the AJC team flustered. Impressive game-play, and far, accurate passes led us on a winning streak to leave the game at 4-1 to us. Knowing what they were up against, AJC stepped up their game and fought back hard, resulting in a spectacular scrabble for the ball in which players from both teams wrestled for the ball on the ground. However, this led to AJC being awarded 2 free throws for fouls during the scuffle, bring the score back up 4-3 with us still in the lead. Even so, armed with lightning quick reflexes, our bball boys thundered through the game, bringing the score to 3-11. Our boys made it look so easy, AJC was of no match! But AJC soon started raking in the points from free throws, and their momentum carried them on to score impressive 3-pointers amongst other well-played balls. Even though Hwa Chong fought back hard, the first quarter ended 13-15 to AJC.

Second Quarter (28-30)

Not willing to take AJC being in the lead, our boys displayed true blue Hwa Chong spirit and fought on hard, but AJC players’ overhead passes and quick darts between weak links of defense allowed them to continue riding their wave of continuous shots to a score of 15-24. Then after stealing the ball from the rebound, #7, Khan Liang finally breaks our dry spell with a spectacular goal, and we get closer to equalizing with a score of 17-24! AJC started to get nervous, especially after a ball thrown over more than half the court is caught by #8, Bala, who then sinks in a stunning shot even though an opponent fouled him during his attempt! Free throws by Bala then brought the score back up to 26-26. We were even! Our boys were on a roll, and sneaky lay-ups and a shot by #12, Rolu let us end the 2^nd quarter 30-28 ((:

Third Quarter (46-42)

AJC started off this quarter with 2 consecutive shots to lead 30-32, but their hopes were quickly dashed by a 3-pointer by #10, Raymond that saw our score leap up to 33-32. But the audiences were kept on tenterhooks as AJC caught up again with a free throw. Probably cheered on by the enthralled and supportive audience, the HC team climbs back up 40-36 when #4, Peter, breaks away from his defenders and goes in for a shot, and #6, David, gets another 2 points for the team with his accurate free throws. The close fight between AJC and HCI continued, as each team alternately sunk shots. With time nearly up, free throws and surprise lay ups put AJC in the lead 41-42. But our players were not done yet and the game heated up, with a mad dash followed by yet another frantic scrabble on the ground for the ball that ended with #11, Lai Sheng clutching his leg in pain and leaving the coach little choice but to sub him out. Determined to fight on for their injured teammate, our bball boys steeled their resolve, which did not go by unpaid. Just before the 3^rd quarter ended, our boys sink in another 2 goals to leave us comfortably in the lead at 46-42!! One more quarter till it all ends!

Last Quarter (66-53)

The boys knew that this last 10 minutes were one of the most crucial 10 minutes of their life. And they played it brilliantly. #6, David, scores yet another goal with a lay-up, setting the tone right for the rest of the game. After yet another confusing clash within the 3-point arc, our advantage was further augmented when the key player, #15, of AJC suddenly rolls over in pain and was subbed out. But the intensity of the game did not lessen the least, and the game was marked with funny moments such as one whereby the ball even ended up trapped beneath a player (who was somehow lying on the floor)! But even so, our players stole the show. We were on a winning streak! #14, Shawn, swooshed in a 3-pointer, #15, Alvin sinks another 2 pointer in easily, #6, David checks in another… Whew, would we ever stop? Really quickly, we were up 60-50! The audience was fed with exciting sequences: jaw-droppingly cool shots like a tricky behind-back pass to #8, Bala, who then dribbles it towards the goal… only to clash and with an opponent who was blocking his way… But that did not stop Bala, who picked himself up and garnered another 4 points for the team, bringing us up to 50-64. The crowd in Toa Payoh sports hall was trembling in excitement—not long more before Hwa Chong was to be crowned champions yet again, for the 7^th time! AJC makes a feeble attempt to regain control of the game, but with a free throw by #12, Rolu, and the final shot by #4, Peter…. (drumroll)

With a score of 66-53….

HWA CHONG WINS THE GAME!!

Once again, History was made today. 七连霸. Congratulations Hwa Chong Basketball Boys!

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Here are some words about today’s game by Co-Captain, Rolu Oyekami:

How are you feeling right now?

It feels great to be able to retain the championship. We were provided extra motivation and a source of thrust during the game, especially since the girls lost their match.

How did you feel during the game (e.g. during the 2^nd quarter) when you were behind?

I think we for we have it in our heads that after the final whistle, it won’t be us at the losing end. So we kept our morale up and kept our trust in each other that in the end, we will win.

Were there any specific strategies you all took when you were at the losing end?

Not really. The coach just kept shouting at us until we were in our normal stride and played like we normally do. Even though all of us are independent in our game, but at the same time we trust our teammates so we knew when to make the right passes to them, so it was good play in all.

Is there anyone you, or your team would want to specifically thank?

For me, I would like to thank God for giving me strength and letting me remain in Singapore so I can play for the team, Mom, Dad, who are still around to help me, team mates who gave me a lot of courage and support throughout…

The team would really like to thank our coaches for their dedication and constant belief in us. Without them, this dream would never been realized.

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Presenting to you, the Hwa Chong Basketball Team 2011/2012