On the 22nd of May, 2009, Friday at 1pm, the great showdown for the A Division Girls title between Hwa Chong Institution and Raffles Institution Junior College ensued.
It was definitely Hwachongs day of glory as both the boys and girls basketball teams claimed rightful ownership of their respective A Division titles at the Jurong East Sports Hall. The girls team consisted of Sarah Choong, Chong Jie Ying, Tsang Wei Yi, Derniese Goh, Ang Anying, Athena Tan, Cindy Chan, Mok Ying Ming, Cassandra Chong, Kok MayChew, Eva Seah and Tan Seow Hwee.
In this finals match, facing off against arch-rivals RIJC once again, the girls were firmly resolved to stage a repeat of the quarter finals match in which HC edged out RI 39-35.
Unexpectedly, RI opened the scoring and brought their tally to 5 points before our team responded in style, with the instrumental help of Sarah Choong, making no mistake in the attack zones, as they secured almost every chance given, including free throws and breaks, to make the lead ours with 8-5.
With the lead, the girls never looked back and projected unparalleled confidence for the rest of the match.
Wei Yis playmaking was vital as she relentlessly stormed the RI defence to create chances for her teammates. On the crowd pleasing aspect, it can be noted that Wei Yis unique on-court antics and tactical gestures never failed to instill laughter into the audience. She helped define some of the entertainment value of the match. The 1st quarter ended at 15-11.
The 2nd quarter saw RI breaking their duck as Raffles #7 and #9 kept RIs spirit alive with their speed and accuracy. However, RI failed to make full use of subsequent chances, while our vice-captain Cindy Chan (WATCH #10! MVP!) caused many Rafflesian jaws (and HC ones too) to drop with her stunning hat-trick of 3-pointers under a 2 minute spell that saw our lead increase to 31-19. (About 4 consecutive attempts were successful!)
Sarah was naturally apt in running around the defence and Jie Ying and Seow Hwees natural size constantly created trouble for the opponents defence. Ying Ming worked very hard for possession, as she actively hounded her opponents for the ball. Half-time score at 32-21.
Both teams upped their pace to bring the score to 41-25, but Hwachong still looked unstoppable in the 3rd quarter, with Sarah and dazzling the RI defence with her agility and cool-headedness, and Wei Yis confident dribbling that easily weaved through the opponents defence. By now, it was second nature of the HC supporters to go 3 pointer! whenever Cindy was on the offensive.
Ying Ming remained ever focused on protecting possession, which earned the team many free throws. A timeout at 48-27 saw RI come back with more vigour, but our team stood our ground and maintained a comfortable lead. It was 50-37 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Throughout the last quarter, many spectators may have started to wonder whether Cindy Chan had a Bachelors Degree in Shooting 3-Pointers, as she frequently sent Hwachong into ecstasy with a few more well executed 3-pointers. Jie Ying helped the team maintain a healthy possession rate, and Seow Hwees determination and peserverance in front of the basket was recognized by our crowd, resulting in much encouraging applause.
Even though RI fought back to close down the margin, our girls had never looked complacent. Our team also happened to have a cleaner record during the game, fouling minimally. With 5 minutes to go, the score was 58-46, and RI seemed to be catching up steadily.
With a minute to go, Hwachong was still not the decided or apparent winners, as RI were hot on our heels. With 10 seconds left, #12 of RI threw her team a lifeline by impressing both RI and HC crowds with a delectable 3-pointer from quite a distance that could easily be shortlisted as the best goal of the game.
61-58. Both schools were kept on tenterhooks as they waited for the game to resume with the clock frozen at 1.9 seconds. It was a nail-biting moment for HC as anything was possible at this point. However, RI failed to capitalize on their last chance and handed our girls and Hwachong the trophy, overwhelming every Hwachongian with emotions.
RIJC should be proud of themselves for fighting to the very end, but ultimately our girls definitely deserved the title after an impressive match of wits and stamina.
Congratulations to the girls basketball team, and many thanks to all who came down to cheer them on today!!!
(Adapted from www.hcunite.blogspot.com !)
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