It seemed almost like a dream. Barely a year and a half ago we were still innocent secondary ones who joined RI basketball like as though it was just another CCA. At the end of last year, we're the only batch that doesn't have each other contacts and emails.
But look at us now.
It seemed that after so much blood, sweat and tears, but mostly blood, we're finally here at Delta Sports Hall, getting ready to play arch rivals Catholic High. We warmed up and mental prepped well, settled our minds down despite the large number of Raffles supporters cheering extremely loudly. At the start, we killed them off with our disciplined zonal defense that led to many fast breaks from our wings, allowing only one three point from their point guard Aaron. However, probably the pressure of the supporters was taking its toll on us we let cat high fight it's way up and we led by a precarious 3 point lead. The second quarter we kept our fight up, and every time we scored the roar of the crowd kept us motivated to try our best.
Yet, the third quarter somehow every chance we had on offense was a turnover and we were almost unrecongnisable. We let them claw their way back into the game as we missed easy lay ups and they even draw us 43-43 at the end of the third quarter. However, there was an injury by Cat High's number 15 center Jerome Tan and it halted the game for quite a while. The last quarter, we went on a scoring spree, rebouding all their shots and fast breaking, outscoring them 20-4. And with that, the scoreline came to a 66-47 close.
And that concludes the c div south zone campaign for 2009! Our hardwork, all the pain we've put in during training and gym sessions finally paid off to enjoy the fruits of our labour. The team would like to thank all the old boys who came down to support us, the school supporters, who cheered and screamed their lungs out for us, whether it's a made basket, turnover or a block. Kudos to Catholic High for putting up such a strong fight too, and at this point I would like to wish Jerome Tan a speedy recovery. To the players, the first half of our journey is complete, and the second half of the road to nationals would be a much tougher one. Rest well, recover from any injuries or sickness you're suffering from, and lets strive to do our best for nationals.
RI BBALL C DIV '09
Champions of the South (:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Division Team Update:
We participated in the PRESTIGIOUS Paya Lebar U-19 Youth Cup SPONSORED BY SPALDING, during the month of April, a week after the end of our Nationals 1st Round games. As part of our training and gaining of match experience, we played 8 games:
Paya Lebar Kovan Team A (L by about 24)
Paya Lebar Kovan Team B (W by about 3)
Tong Whye (W by about 30)
Whye Nam (L by about 18)
Kaixuan U17 (W by about 10)
Kaixuan U19 (W by about 5)
Tagawa (L by about 18)
Team DOS (L by about 30)
In general, we played quite well as a team, especially against heavily favoured Whye Nam and Tagawa. We will be playing VJC, AJC and TJC on the 4th, 6th and 8th of May respectively @ SBC. The group winner will likely move on to play the final against Hwach.
We can do it. Last 5 games J2s, play hard, play smart, have fun.
Dream. Team.Fight.Win
If it comes down to a guts game we will not lose.
We participated in the PRESTIGIOUS Paya Lebar U-19 Youth Cup SPONSORED BY SPALDING, during the month of April, a week after the end of our Nationals 1st Round games. As part of our training and gaining of match experience, we played 8 games:
Paya Lebar Kovan Team A (L by about 24)
Paya Lebar Kovan Team B (W by about 3)
Tong Whye (W by about 30)
Whye Nam (L by about 18)
Kaixuan U17 (W by about 10)
Kaixuan U19 (W by about 5)
Tagawa (L by about 18)
Team DOS (L by about 30)
In general, we played quite well as a team, especially against heavily favoured Whye Nam and Tagawa. We will be playing VJC, AJC and TJC on the 4th, 6th and 8th of May respectively @ SBC. The group winner will likely move on to play the final against Hwach.
We can do it. Last 5 games J2s, play hard, play smart, have fun.
Dream. Team.Fight.Win
If it comes down to a guts game we will not lose.
RI 66-53 Pierce
They say semi-finals is the most important match, because it decides either we move on to the finals or the 3rd or 4th placing. We played this without our captain, and we all were ready to step up to make up for his absence.
We started the first quarter relatively well, holding our defense until their 24 second attacking time was gone. We also broke their press the first time they've tried it and Pierce was discouraged from pressing. In the second quarter, we played phenomenally, engaging fast breaks and limiting them to just 9 points, though we did foul a little too much and allowed them to hit 5 free throws in a row.
In the second half, our play deteriorated as we didn't do our defense as discipline as the first half, and we allowed them to just shoot threes without contesting it much and allowed them to drive multiple times. The fourth quarter we played so badly that we let them outscore us 10-13, which we definitely cannot afford on Wednesday's game.
With that, we're on to the south zone finals! Thanks to all the old boys who came down to support us and b division too, as well as the secondary ones and the secondary twos. On Wednesday the finals will be held at Delta Sports Hall at 3pm, where we will be fighting for our lives and showing the fighting spirit of Raffles Basketball. To the players, when you think you're alone, look around around and you see 4 other guys with you. When you play alone you are alone. When you play as a team it would be as though there's a sixth man on the court helping you. The team will play with the spirit of every Rafflesian that will be there, and we will not disappoint.
Ribball C div '09
The final sprint.
We started the first quarter relatively well, holding our defense until their 24 second attacking time was gone. We also broke their press the first time they've tried it and Pierce was discouraged from pressing. In the second quarter, we played phenomenally, engaging fast breaks and limiting them to just 9 points, though we did foul a little too much and allowed them to hit 5 free throws in a row.
In the second half, our play deteriorated as we didn't do our defense as discipline as the first half, and we allowed them to just shoot threes without contesting it much and allowed them to drive multiple times. The fourth quarter we played so badly that we let them outscore us 10-13, which we definitely cannot afford on Wednesday's game.
With that, we're on to the south zone finals! Thanks to all the old boys who came down to support us and b division too, as well as the secondary ones and the secondary twos. On Wednesday the finals will be held at Delta Sports Hall at 3pm, where we will be fighting for our lives and showing the fighting spirit of Raffles Basketball. To the players, when you think you're alone, look around around and you see 4 other guys with you. When you play alone you are alone. When you play as a team it would be as though there's a sixth man on the court helping you. The team will play with the spirit of every Rafflesian that will be there, and we will not disappoint.
Ribball C div '09
The final sprint.
Friday, April 24, 2009
RI 67-26 St Andrews
Knowing that we were already going to top the group despite the outcome of this match, we all still wanted to do our best for this match and practice a few things coach has made us practice in the past few trainings, despite missing two players.
But something was wrong.
Maybe it was because we have defeated Catholic High a few days ago, our intensity and seemed to drop, where we slowed down our pace a little throughout the entire match. We started off with a 3-2 zone, where we did not perform it as discipline as it should have been, and we only got our momentum soon later. However, the opponent opened the scoring when one of our inside players was hit accidentally by one of the St Andrew players and dropped the ball. Nevertheless, our good defense resulted in the 18-4 scoreline in the first quarter.
The second quarter and third quarter was where everything went wrong, We went for a box and 1 defense before a full court press, yet our intensity seemed to lower a lot. Another inside player was also injured at this time too during box and 1. The 1 in the defense did not play well and we often fell for the taunts of their no. 8. Third quarter we under performed, playing bad defense and not treasuring all our offense opportunities, which trailed 10-5 for us.
Fourth quarter we collapsed to a 1-1-3, though we let loose many open shots at first due to communication problems. However, the opponent always forgot the man at the back and that initiated many fast breaks, though not everytime the last man scored. In the final minutes we practiced 2-2-1 and we forced a few turnovers, though it broke as many times as it succeeded. In that quarter alone we scored 25-11.
With today's match, our second round is over.Today's match identified our shaky foundation of a few basics and a few players' fitness levels. The next match would be the semi finals and the finals on Wednesday, where we cannot afford the lethargic performance we put up today.
Ribball C div '09
A 110% in games.
But something was wrong.
Maybe it was because we have defeated Catholic High a few days ago, our intensity and seemed to drop, where we slowed down our pace a little throughout the entire match. We started off with a 3-2 zone, where we did not perform it as discipline as it should have been, and we only got our momentum soon later. However, the opponent opened the scoring when one of our inside players was hit accidentally by one of the St Andrew players and dropped the ball. Nevertheless, our good defense resulted in the 18-4 scoreline in the first quarter.
The second quarter and third quarter was where everything went wrong, We went for a box and 1 defense before a full court press, yet our intensity seemed to lower a lot. Another inside player was also injured at this time too during box and 1. The 1 in the defense did not play well and we often fell for the taunts of their no. 8. Third quarter we under performed, playing bad defense and not treasuring all our offense opportunities, which trailed 10-5 for us.
Fourth quarter we collapsed to a 1-1-3, though we let loose many open shots at first due to communication problems. However, the opponent always forgot the man at the back and that initiated many fast breaks, though not everytime the last man scored. In the final minutes we practiced 2-2-1 and we forced a few turnovers, though it broke as many times as it succeeded. In that quarter alone we scored 25-11.
With today's match, our second round is over.Today's match identified our shaky foundation of a few basics and a few players' fitness levels. The next match would be the semi finals and the finals on Wednesday, where we cannot afford the lethargic performance we put up today.
Ribball C div '09
A 110% in games.
Monday, April 20, 2009
RI 70-67 CHS
A few months ago, on the 11th of February, 4.30pm at Catholic High School, our C division lost to CHS by a extremely large margin of 20-30 points.
Was history about to repeat itself? Were we going to suffer the same fate? Before the match, our friends and classmates all believed that we would lose to Cat high, and some of us ourselves were unconfident, and a loss would be inevitable.
However, this time, it's not our loss.
We started off ferociously, not giving them any open shots with our disciplined and tight defense, and we lead 12-0 for the first quarter, before they got some lucky shots and a few free throws, though we ended first quarter with a 12 point lead of 22-10.
Maybe it's because of complacency of fatigue, the second and third quarter was a disaster, we let loose many open shots and they outscored us, 14-17 and 12-18 respectively in the second and third quarter. We let up on defense, we made many mispasses and instead of finishing it ourselves we always passed out that led to almost ten turnovers. Fourth quarter, as coach only played a few number of players, the players were getting lethargic and fortunately because of our early first quarter lead it went into overtime.
In overtime, we fought our hearts out. Even though we still made numerous mistakes, we still managed to outscore them by three points, and thus ending the game with the slim three point lead.
It was a good job, done by all the players, even those who didn't play. We played our hearts out, cheered our hearts out, and finally won. We won because we never gave up, and today's match pushed our boundaries. Had we made less mistakes, the scoreline would have been larger and more impressive. Good job to all the players playing out there today, especially yao zhong, who scored 11 points in the short time he played and not making any turnovers. Kudos to Daniel too for his game high 21 points, and Chng for his good post plays and milking.
We promised, we dreamed, we believe and fought, and now we have won. As I said before, past matches does not matter. We lost by about 33 points last time, and now everything is different. We promise to not get complacent and continue to do our best in every match, playing the matches as though it were our last. To the players, well done, have a rest and recover from any injuries you may have sustained, and let's get ready for St Andrews on Friday.
Ribball C div '09
Winning as a team.
Was history about to repeat itself? Were we going to suffer the same fate? Before the match, our friends and classmates all believed that we would lose to Cat high, and some of us ourselves were unconfident, and a loss would be inevitable.
However, this time, it's not our loss.
We started off ferociously, not giving them any open shots with our disciplined and tight defense, and we lead 12-0 for the first quarter, before they got some lucky shots and a few free throws, though we ended first quarter with a 12 point lead of 22-10.
Maybe it's because of complacency of fatigue, the second and third quarter was a disaster, we let loose many open shots and they outscored us, 14-17 and 12-18 respectively in the second and third quarter. We let up on defense, we made many mispasses and instead of finishing it ourselves we always passed out that led to almost ten turnovers. Fourth quarter, as coach only played a few number of players, the players were getting lethargic and fortunately because of our early first quarter lead it went into overtime.
In overtime, we fought our hearts out. Even though we still made numerous mistakes, we still managed to outscore them by three points, and thus ending the game with the slim three point lead.
It was a good job, done by all the players, even those who didn't play. We played our hearts out, cheered our hearts out, and finally won. We won because we never gave up, and today's match pushed our boundaries. Had we made less mistakes, the scoreline would have been larger and more impressive. Good job to all the players playing out there today, especially yao zhong, who scored 11 points in the short time he played and not making any turnovers. Kudos to Daniel too for his game high 21 points, and Chng for his good post plays and milking.
We promised, we dreamed, we believe and fought, and now we have won. As I said before, past matches does not matter. We lost by about 33 points last time, and now everything is different. We promise to not get complacent and continue to do our best in every match, playing the matches as though it were our last. To the players, well done, have a rest and recover from any injuries you may have sustained, and let's get ready for St Andrews on Friday.
Ribball C div '09
Winning as a team.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
A few words before the Catholic High match...
Hey C division '09 boys, after talking with Alex, here are a few words before the big match on monday.
Our season has been a clean loss record so far, it's a good effort done out by everyone and I believe everyone intends to keep it that way for our season. However, this DOES NOT give allow any of us to be complacent or overconfident. Every match, every point, every detail that we play will affect us for the rest of the season.
Catholic high has beaten us twice, once in a friendly last year, and once this year in ISIBL. IT DOES NOT MATTER. Remember when we were playing against them in ISIBL, at the starting of the game? We were leading them by 4-6 points before our inexperience and weaknesses caught up with us. This shows that the past matches does not matter, like i've said before, every game we go in is a new and clean one. No extra fouls, no extra time or points. The only thing that you may bring in with you to the next game is the FEAR of losing to them again. We wouldn't want that would we?
Don't be anxious, don't think they're always better than us. We are good in some stuff that they are not. We know a few tricks that they don't. Worshipping or fear of them is cowardice, and it shows how LITTLE CONFIDENCE you have about yourself. We have improved since the last time we saw them, we're faster, stronger, and better than we last were. If you can't overcome this psychological barrier within yourselves, you're not hundred percent ready to play the match on Monday.
Now, for the match itself, if you're out there fighting for our lives, remember to die for each other out there. Play defense like the way we should have: talking, communicating, helping at the right times, not going for the steal unless coach told us too, not giving up after the man drives past you. On OFFENSE, shoot when you're open, drive if you can, but have a plan 2 in your head if you cant finish it. Set good picks, bao wo shots and underbaskets. Intercept, saving ball if it goes out, when the ball moves drop down, etc. Another point, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL AT ALL TIMES.
If you're not playing, echo the defense. Tell them if they make mistakes, do not tell them what to do on offense because the person may be ready to drive or post up or shoot but if you tell them what to do, it would mess up their thinking. Cheer everytime we score, it boosts our team morale, it demoralises the other teams too.
Rest well over the weekend, and according to Alex on Friday, please eat well. Recover and don't fool around, especially any activities that could sprain your ankle or injure you in any way possible. Prepare well for monday, believe we WILL win, and the odds won't be against us.
DREAM.TEAM.FIGHT.WIN
RI BBALL C DIV '09 FOR THE SOUTH ZONE TITLE.
Our season has been a clean loss record so far, it's a good effort done out by everyone and I believe everyone intends to keep it that way for our season. However, this DOES NOT give allow any of us to be complacent or overconfident. Every match, every point, every detail that we play will affect us for the rest of the season.
Catholic high has beaten us twice, once in a friendly last year, and once this year in ISIBL. IT DOES NOT MATTER. Remember when we were playing against them in ISIBL, at the starting of the game? We were leading them by 4-6 points before our inexperience and weaknesses caught up with us. This shows that the past matches does not matter, like i've said before, every game we go in is a new and clean one. No extra fouls, no extra time or points. The only thing that you may bring in with you to the next game is the FEAR of losing to them again. We wouldn't want that would we?
Don't be anxious, don't think they're always better than us. We are good in some stuff that they are not. We know a few tricks that they don't. Worshipping or fear of them is cowardice, and it shows how LITTLE CONFIDENCE you have about yourself. We have improved since the last time we saw them, we're faster, stronger, and better than we last were. If you can't overcome this psychological barrier within yourselves, you're not hundred percent ready to play the match on Monday.
Now, for the match itself, if you're out there fighting for our lives, remember to die for each other out there. Play defense like the way we should have: talking, communicating, helping at the right times, not going for the steal unless coach told us too, not giving up after the man drives past you. On OFFENSE, shoot when you're open, drive if you can, but have a plan 2 in your head if you cant finish it. Set good picks, bao wo shots and underbaskets. Intercept, saving ball if it goes out, when the ball moves drop down, etc. Another point, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL AT ALL TIMES.
If you're not playing, echo the defense. Tell them if they make mistakes, do not tell them what to do on offense because the person may be ready to drive or post up or shoot but if you tell them what to do, it would mess up their thinking. Cheer everytime we score, it boosts our team morale, it demoralises the other teams too.
Rest well over the weekend, and according to Alex on Friday, please eat well. Recover and don't fool around, especially any activities that could sprain your ankle or injure you in any way possible. Prepare well for monday, believe we WILL win, and the odds won't be against us.
DREAM.TEAM.FIGHT.WIN
RI BBALL C DIV '09 FOR THE SOUTH ZONE TITLE.
Friday, April 17, 2009
GESS 41-69 RI
The toughest match we had in our zones so far.
We were intent on stopping their number point guard number 7 and their winger number 9 from attacking right from the start, and we managed to stop them from getting any good shots in the first quarter, which ended 15-0. Yet, the second quarter, perhaps it's because we had matches and training all week, our intensity dropped a lot, allowing them layups and easy points. Same goes for the third quarter, where we seemed to run out of steam and allow the opponent to get many loose balls.
However, we upped the intensity in the fourth quarter, where everyone talked and help a lot at first, until the opponent manage to get many foul-ins and we stopped talking and communicating, though at the last second we saw a beautiful buzzer beater jumper from Yao Zhong and ended the game 41-69.
Our lack of communication and fitness was the key thing that gave away the opponent so many points, and we need to step up on defense and fighting spirit, especially on the big match against catholic high next Monday. For the players, rest well over the weekend, eat well, sleep well, and prepare yourself.
Ribball C div '09
Offense entertains, defense win games and rebounds win championships!
We were intent on stopping their number point guard number 7 and their winger number 9 from attacking right from the start, and we managed to stop them from getting any good shots in the first quarter, which ended 15-0. Yet, the second quarter, perhaps it's because we had matches and training all week, our intensity dropped a lot, allowing them layups and easy points. Same goes for the third quarter, where we seemed to run out of steam and allow the opponent to get many loose balls.
However, we upped the intensity in the fourth quarter, where everyone talked and help a lot at first, until the opponent manage to get many foul-ins and we stopped talking and communicating, though at the last second we saw a beautiful buzzer beater jumper from Yao Zhong and ended the game 41-69.
Our lack of communication and fitness was the key thing that gave away the opponent so many points, and we need to step up on defense and fighting spirit, especially on the big match against catholic high next Monday. For the players, rest well over the weekend, eat well, sleep well, and prepare yourself.
Ribball C div '09
Offense entertains, defense win games and rebounds win championships!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
HIH 26-99 RI
The inflated scoreline doesn't mean anything about the match.
We started off shakily and precariously, sometimes making a few errors here and there. We were intent on stopping their fast wing players, though when we failed we made up by placing our posts in the zone, stopping them and making them force their shots. The second quarter and third quarter, the speed and intensity of our play was kept, and we broke their press play which led to easy baskets. However, we did not bao wo all our shots and we missed a couple of underbaskets, which at this stage of the competition should not happen.
Fourth quarter, we collapsed to a 1-1-3 and played it well, making turnovers and fast breaking a lot, which resulted in the 26-99 deficit.
On the court, when the opponent gets a steal and engages a fast break, rush back on defense, don't think "oh no, they're going to score one basket anyway, i'l just get ready for offense then." Basketball is a TEAM sport, if you're unwilling to WORK as a team, we will never WIN as a team.
Raffles Basketball FTW!
Never give up
We started off shakily and precariously, sometimes making a few errors here and there. We were intent on stopping their fast wing players, though when we failed we made up by placing our posts in the zone, stopping them and making them force their shots. The second quarter and third quarter, the speed and intensity of our play was kept, and we broke their press play which led to easy baskets. However, we did not bao wo all our shots and we missed a couple of underbaskets, which at this stage of the competition should not happen.
Fourth quarter, we collapsed to a 1-1-3 and played it well, making turnovers and fast breaking a lot, which resulted in the 26-99 deficit.
On the court, when the opponent gets a steal and engages a fast break, rush back on defense, don't think "oh no, they're going to score one basket anyway, i'l just get ready for offense then." Basketball is a TEAM sport, if you're unwilling to WORK as a team, we will never WIN as a team.
Raffles Basketball FTW!
Never give up
Monday, April 13, 2009
C Division 2009 South Zone Round 2
(South Zone Round 2)
Venue: CCAB. Finals at Delta Sports Complex.
15th April 1145 hours- Holy Innocents vs RI
17th April 1145 hours- Gan Eng Seng vs RI
20th April 1300 hours- RI vs Catholic High
24th April 1145 hours- St Andrews vs RI
A relatively hard road in front of us, especially the Catholic High match.
For anyone who has time, please go down and support the team!
We will not falter.
Venue: CCAB. Finals at Delta Sports Complex.
15th April 1145 hours- Holy Innocents vs RI
17th April 1145 hours- Gan Eng Seng vs RI
20th April 1300 hours- RI vs Catholic High
24th April 1145 hours- St Andrews vs RI
A relatively hard road in front of us, especially the Catholic High match.
For anyone who has time, please go down and support the team!
We will not falter.
RI 104-16 ACS(I)
We knew we qualified for the second round already, and we mental prepped properly before the game, though there were some people fooling around. We went into the game prepared, and went off with a roaring start!
The first quarter, everyone was doing their job well, rebounding and outlet passes to the wings for good finishes, though once or twice in a while one of us would lose our man and let some easy shots. We made up for this with good rebounding and in the first quarter alone, the score 35-0.
In the second quarter, we changed our play a little and due to miscommunication, our opposition scored 6 points in a inside game, when the posts went out to cover for the wings, acs i wings fed down to the low post and finished, explaining for the 6 points scored. Third quarter, we did not help on defense, though on offense we ran many fast breaks and scored 22 points.
Fourth quarter, coach subbed the entire team out and 5 people went to play a defense we never played before. The defense gave many turnovers and in a short span of 2-3 minutes we ran 6 fast breaks, with daniel scoring a buzzer beater jump shot from the free throw line. The game ended 104 to 16 in our favour. Kudos to Alex's game high 26 points too.
With that, this concludes our first round. The second groupings are already out, and we have two other group champions in our grouping. We'll just have to train harder, and be back, stronger, faster, better than before.
Raffles Basketball FTW!
We could, we can, and we will.
The first quarter, everyone was doing their job well, rebounding and outlet passes to the wings for good finishes, though once or twice in a while one of us would lose our man and let some easy shots. We made up for this with good rebounding and in the first quarter alone, the score 35-0.
In the second quarter, we changed our play a little and due to miscommunication, our opposition scored 6 points in a inside game, when the posts went out to cover for the wings, acs i wings fed down to the low post and finished, explaining for the 6 points scored. Third quarter, we did not help on defense, though on offense we ran many fast breaks and scored 22 points.
Fourth quarter, coach subbed the entire team out and 5 people went to play a defense we never played before. The defense gave many turnovers and in a short span of 2-3 minutes we ran 6 fast breaks, with daniel scoring a buzzer beater jump shot from the free throw line. The game ended 104 to 16 in our favour. Kudos to Alex's game high 26 points too.
With that, this concludes our first round. The second groupings are already out, and we have two other group champions in our grouping. We'll just have to train harder, and be back, stronger, faster, better than before.
Raffles Basketball FTW!
We could, we can, and we will.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
RI 62-39 Pierce
Our toughest opponent in our first round was not to be taken lightly, but out mental preparation before the game was bad, and playing without our main point guard only made it worse.
Alex opened the scoring with a free throw, and everything was intense in the first quarter. Pierce changed their defensive strategy and it took us sometime to get adjusted to it, and only a couple of baskets in the last two minutes helped us lead at 12-6. In the meantime, chng had also gotten two fouls early.
The second quarter though, our scoring increase with a couple of good plays and drives in a half court offense, though our defense we were still not doing as well. We did not box out, we did not communicate effectively in the zone defense and we allowed them to drive and score some layups that just keep going in despite the angles. Third quarter things were even tighter, and things were not good for us, key players no 9 and no 10 were making good and fast drives.
In the fourth quarter, it was a totally different story. We started to communicate on defense, we were getting our momentum back and we launched a flurry of baskets and played much better. In the end, the game ended 62-39.
A victory against our strongest opponent in our first round exposed several mistakes and our lack of inexperience, time is short, and the teams are merciless. Everyone has to be prepared to play full-game and give a 110% focus and concentration into the matches.
Raffles Basketball FTW!
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE does not come before TEAM PERFORMANCE.
Alex opened the scoring with a free throw, and everything was intense in the first quarter. Pierce changed their defensive strategy and it took us sometime to get adjusted to it, and only a couple of baskets in the last two minutes helped us lead at 12-6. In the meantime, chng had also gotten two fouls early.
The second quarter though, our scoring increase with a couple of good plays and drives in a half court offense, though our defense we were still not doing as well. We did not box out, we did not communicate effectively in the zone defense and we allowed them to drive and score some layups that just keep going in despite the angles. Third quarter things were even tighter, and things were not good for us, key players no 9 and no 10 were making good and fast drives.
In the fourth quarter, it was a totally different story. We started to communicate on defense, we were getting our momentum back and we launched a flurry of baskets and played much better. In the end, the game ended 62-39.
A victory against our strongest opponent in our first round exposed several mistakes and our lack of inexperience, time is short, and the teams are merciless. Everyone has to be prepared to play full-game and give a 110% focus and concentration into the matches.
Raffles Basketball FTW!
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE does not come before TEAM PERFORMANCE.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
B DIV-> RI 43-58 PHS
Stand tall, stand proud.
It may be the end of the road, but how we played today defines us:
RI B DIV'09!
It may be the end of the road, but how we played today defines us:
RI B DIV'09!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
RI 74-47 Temasek
B Division
Nationals 1st Round
We started off fighting for our lives.
Steamrolled them in the first half, the press was extremely energetic.
Didn't extend our lead much in the second half, but this win, a big win, is more than just a win-it is hope.
Next game is do or die.
We will not disappoint
Nationals 1st Round
We started off fighting for our lives.
Steamrolled them in the first half, the press was extremely energetic.
Didn't extend our lead much in the second half, but this win, a big win, is more than just a win-it is hope.
Next game is do or die.
We will not disappoint
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