HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

As the year draws to the close in a few minutes, (and those lucky enough, go see the blue moon of this century in the sky tonight!) we all countdown to 2010, where we take the good memories and leave behind the unpleasant ones. On behalf of everyone here, i'd like to wish everyone- the old boys, teachers-in-charge, coaches, our opponent teams but most importantly, OUR PLAYERS, a very happy new year! All the best for everyone out there as we strive our best to do our best in basketball and conquer the championships!

To the sec ones: It's been fun watching you all grow, since the day you all first came and finally now becoming a team in your own right, this is where you start to push yourself and train harder, work harder and motivate each other harder in order to have a memorable C division season, which you probably all know is the best time to win. All the best and keep your eyes on the prize! Look forward to becoming seniors too. (:

To the sec twos: Hey guys, we had a great season this year, even though we fell short at nationals, the most important thing was that we enjoyed ourselves, we kept fighting and never gave up despite the odds, spilled much blood, sweat and tears to know we have to keep improving even though we were never favourites. I wish that everyone would continue improving and prepare for another great season in a year's time. :D

To the sec threes: As you know, you guys are a nationals third team in C division, so hopefully you guys would get a NATIONALS FIRST team in B division. Keep improving and beat all the teams that stand in your way. You guys can do it.

To the sec fours: Well, as you all will be leaving next year, i'd like to thank all of you for guiding the way, for teaching us the simple basics and instilling discipline in us, which i believed helped us in the long run. Thank you for all the contributions you have given to the school, and i wish you guys all the best in your jc lives.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

RI 57-29 Fairfield Methodist

(By Mark, edited by Wee Xuan)

This game was a unique one, as we played without our starting point guard. We also played, for the first time, our new Sec 1s. Playing without our starting point guard, exposed our over reliance on him when we were playing our set play. Although we had used it many times, our play today was very messy and was run very badly, giving us few open shots.

In the first quarter, we failed to execute our 1-3-1 properly, with the sec ones not used to the play; it was rather messy for us. We only had a few open shots too.

In the second and third quarter, we went out with a 3-22. Although, there were problems to the press, such as fouling them for no reason or by accident, we were still able to trap the opponents and this led to many turnovers and easy fast break points for us.

Also, with a poor 1-3-1 play in the first quarter, we switched to a different strategy that allowed the post man to have 1 to 1 play. However, our inexperience caught up with us as having never used the play before, we were all confused with our positions and the post was not getting the ball, and when he did, there was help on the opponents end. We then switched to another of our usual play, with the two post getting the ball at the free throw line, with our perimeter players feeding the post well. Taking advantage of the poor interior defense, our posts manage to finish well and together with our fast break points, we pulled away with a 28 point win.

Overall, we played ok, but we have much to improve. Throughout the game, we had no help defense. Thus, the opponents could easily feed their post whenever they post up and ask for ball. Even though coach told the wings to provide help to the post and pack the defense, as the opponents was getting points only through the post, and not through the wings, they were not able to do so. For the post, coach told them to jam the opponent's post whenever they came up to the free throw line to ask for ball, this too, we failed.

To the sec 1s, do work harder, as we will definitely need you in the competition. Also, do get to know our usual plays at the back of your head. Lastly, good job for this game today. We have definitely learned more about you and your playing style.

To the sec 2s, we definitely got to rely less on our main point guard. He will definitely get injured once in a while, and if we do not learn to make do without him, then we are in trouble. We just have to work harder in training to improve our ballhandling skills, before it becomes our Achilles heel.

 

MVPs:

Mark and Chun Cheong

U14 AND1 Tournament East View 38-50 RI

This was the very last game of the tournament, and we needed a win in order to receive the silver medal. Also, this would be the last game the sec 2s in this team would be playing for a long long time, and we tried to get more play time for everybody.

But did we deserve it?

We started off brilliantly, running our play 13 extremely well and on fire, Bao Kun knocked down three three-pointers in that quarter alone. We also saw a stellar free throw performance from Mark at the free throw line, showing superb concentration everytime he did his free throw routine. On the defensive end however, we could have been a little tighter, more aggressive and well let their star player no. 10 drive us continuously, doing many drive and dishes to number 6 and 11, ending the fourth quarter with only a 4 point lead even with a marvelous shooting performance.

The second quarter saw the sec 2s come in, but just like the previous match, the wings did not support the point guard and it was difficult to pass to the wing. Pathetically, the only time they scored was when the very first time we executed our play, Wee Xuan drove through the middle to get the only two points earned by executing the play. Fortunately, Nicholas salvaged the situation by knocking down his first three pointer of his career at the shot clock buzzer. Sadly, there was just too much mishandling from the high post who received the ball at the top of the key, perhaps due to inexperience and unable to pass through the low post cutting up to the high post, resulting in turnovers that if not for our hustle could have killed us all. Defensively, we were horrible, especially the man on no. 10. The opponents were exceptionally good in running shots and still there was no help side, destroying the hard-earned lead we had from the first quarter. The sec ones came back into the game and luckily, engaged fast breaks and ran the plays properly to give us a three point lead at the end of the first half.

During the second half, we engaged them, exploiting the fact that they had limited number of players and pushed the momentum of the game quickly. They also had a lazier post player, and we sent chun cheong to try and post him up whenever possible. Also, during the quarter, we also supported one of our sec one wings, Daryl, who is unconfident about taking his shots and we got him to take a three point shot after 2 tries! Slowly, in the fourth quarter, we substituted the bench more and we managed to handle the press well, but due to over dribbling by our sec 2 point guard we failed to get the last shot off.

After the match, there was also a three point tournament contest. Initially, Mark, Yao Zhong and Ming Jun agreed to take part in it but Mark backed out last minute, saying that he was off form that night. Bao Kun took over and miraculously, knocked down 5 shots without any warm up. Yao Zhong and Ming Jun also knocked down three each but was unfortunately knocked out due to the fierce competition. In the end, Bao Kun received a third place prize for his shooting. We also got second overall for the entire tournament, first being Paya Lebar CSC.

With that, that wraps up the U14 tournament! Thanks to the effort everyone has put it, and everyone who has participated in the series of matches. I believe that by sticking together throughout the competition, everyone has matured to become a better player in his own right, such as Zong Tai's improved defense, Ming Jun's better offensive awareness, Mark's impressive free throw percentage, etc. It was a fun and memorable one, and I believe everyone has enjoyed themselves very much. A very good job to everyone, especially daryl for boosting his confidence to take a shot. For the sec ones, even though this may be the end of the tournament, it merely marks a milestone in your journey. You still have much more to learn, much more time to improve and even though we all want to win, it matters that we earn something intangible in the process, and that's the bonds, the experience, which I believe, no medal or trophy can ever give the same satisfaction. Keeping working hard towards your goals, and hope that you guys do your best for your matches to come, never giving up and clinching the national champions title.

For the sec twos, these will be the last matches we will be playing for a long time. I know that we didn't fare to well in this tournament, and I've got to say, we really fared badly in the last two matches. Well, we saw it for ourselves, the sec ones are doing much better than us and we can't say that we're not disappointed, so I guess it's time we started changing our attitude. Doesn't matter whether we make the B div team or not, matters most that we just keep improving ourselves because playing your best, giving all out on the court, ready to die for each other, and that's probably the only way for us to enjoy the game.

Good job everyone, now, let's take a break from the hectic schedule of the matches and prepare for training in the upcoming weeks. Enjoy your holidays too!

MVPs:

(RI)

Bao Kun

Mark Khoo

(East View)

No. 10

U14 AND1 TOURNAMENT RI 62-53 JURONG SEC

Despite the scoreline, today's match was a tough one, trading many baskets, losing and gaining the lead several times throughout the entire game. We knew before the game, this was going to be our toughest match apart from the Paya Lebar CSC host's team game.

The interesting thing was, our sec ones actually did a much better job than most of our sec twos today.

We started off fabulously, exhibiting rather disciplined defense as we settled into the game early, running fast breaks and surprising our opponents. However, we did leak a few times at the top of the key when their quick and fast point guard, no. 5 tay wee, burned us a couple of times after a 11-0 run. We ended the first quarter 17-7, ten points up.

The second quarter was a heartbreaker. Coach substituted a second team and they ran the plays poorly, with one particular forward not active in the play and that led to many turnovers. No. 5 and no. 4 were extremely efficient at driving the middle and finishing in traffic. Slowly, at the 7^th minute, our lead was destroyed and we were down by one. Seeing enough, coach put back the entire first team back into the game and we got back the lead, 27-29 at the buzzer due to the opponents adjusting to the pace of the game.

In the third quarter, Coach set a play for two of the more experienced sec two players in the second team to try and extend our lead, which included a pick at high post and the point guard driving the lane. However, our point guard dribbled a little bit too much, reluctant to pass and we were only saved by offensive rebounds. We also let no.4 and no.11 drive to the baskets constantly, stop shuffling after screens and they just keep managing to score many shots as long as they're open, even off balance ones. Many underbaskets were unconverted, including one which one of our players got a clean steal and missed a 1-0 lay up. Fortunately, we ended the game tied 43-43.

The fourth quarter was different. We increased our tempo, and managed to get many fast breaks, with Ming Jun managing to put the ball in. We also managed to drive to the basket. This was probably because the opponents were tired and played bad defense. The opponent then changed their defense to a 2-3 zone. When we saw the change in defense, we immediately changed the offense which proved successful, and we held on to the lead till the end.

Today's game is one of the best for our secondary ones, and one of the worse for the secondary twos. As seniors, it is important to lead a good example to our juniors and to play worse than them or to show poor attitude before the game is a bad influence. Good job to Ming Jun, with his steadily improving offensive skills and Chun Cheong for his game high 15 points, scoring 9 points in the first quarter, accounting for more than half of the points in that quarter.Take this lesson, and lets prepare for our final match on Saturday, against East View.

MVPs:

(RI)

Ming Jun

Chung Cheong

(JSS)

No. 4

U14 ACSIS Tournament RI 45-43 Overseas Family School

(Report by Mark, minor edits by Wee Xuan.)

We started the game well with our forwards cutting in from the top of the key with the help of the screen set by Bao Kun followed by the basket. This play proved successful and we were up by 5 points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the opponents placed their center in the paint to jam our cut. This change in defense caused us to make turnovers due to bad passes, and coach decided to change the play. After giving the ball to the post at the top of the key, Bao Kun cut into the paint and got a few uncontested lay ups. However, at the defensive end we played horribly allowing many backdoors and open shots. At the end, our lead was cut to 1.

In the third and fourth quarter, our defense did not improve, with our players who were smaller than the opponent not fronting them, allowing them to easily get the ball and drive to the basket. Also, they opponents kept screening for their star point guard, no. 23, allowing him to stroke the 3s and driving to the basket, drawing the fouls. This was simply due to lack of miscommunication because we did not know whether to switch or to stick to our man. This allowed no. 23 to score a total of 26 points. Furthermore, our rebounds were very bad with our posts standing behind the opponents. Naturally, we did not get the rebound. Moreover, even when we did get the offensive rebound, we failed to put the ball in. This was the same story for our fast breaks.

At the last 30 seconds of the game, we were tied 43 to 43. Coach called a timeout and told Bao Kun to hold the ball till the last few seconds before making our last shot. In the play we did as told, and Chun Cheong made the game winning shot plus the foul with 2 second on the clock. The OFS coach called for a time out. Coach told us to double team no. 23 and prevent him from shooting. At the line, Chun Cheong missed the free throw as instructed by coach, but we failed to grab the rebound and the opponent passed the ball to no. 23. However, we did not double team him putting only 1 defender on him. From the half court line, he shot the ball and it nearly banged in.

This is a good lesson for us. We should have double teamed him and gave him more pressure. Had the ball go in, we would have lost the game. Also we need to step up on DEFENSE. They say that offense entertains, defense wins games and rebounds win championships. Defense is the key to any game, and a tough-choking defense pressure is an element we should add to our game.

 

MVPs:

(RI)

Bao Kun

Chun Cheong

(OFS)

Felix Tsai(no. 23)

By: Mark

RI 34-55 T-Net Club@Bt Merah (red)

Another horrible loss. We played with only 10 players, with sim and bryan out injured, greg, yuxuan and alex overseas.

But then again there should be no excuses. we played with horribly low energy level, we didn't run our plays, we didn't play good defense. the way we played, we deserved this loss. We let the opponents run all over us, and we never managed to respond. nothing spectacular to note about this match.

But this is the wake-up call. its time to start now, we have to get better, really really fast.

RI 32-53 HCI

We were outran, outplayed, outshot by the opponents. We missed lay-ups, we missed underbaskets, we threw the ball away, we had stupid turnovers, we didn't play good team defense, we didn't run our plays.

we got thrashed. the next game will be better.

RI 48-54 Tagawa (White)

This was a match that was ours for the win, but in the end we threw the match away. we started this match strong, running hard, getting shots, although we missed a couple of lay-ups we still ended the quarter 11-10.

In the second quarter, tagawa's star point guard, number 7 came in and dominated the match. he shot fade away jump shots after jump shots, drove hard to the basket, and finished with 2 3-pointers in that quarter. in the 2nd quarter alone, he scored 12 points. at that point, we only started in the game because of alex, who somehow managed to match no.7 play for play, finishing with 12 points in that quarter as well. In this half we had the lead several times, even pulling away as far as 7 points, but each time allowing tagawa to claw their way back into the game.

In the third quarter, we were unable to stop no.7, who was everywhere. he pressured our point guards, forcing several turnovers, and getting easy fast break lay-ups. We didn't move the ball well enough, and missed underbasket after underbasket. We were down 2 at the end of this quarter, kept in the game by joel's shooting, and also because no.7 was pulled out mid-way through the quarter.

In the last quarter, our inability to stop no.7 and our misses came back to haunt us, as no.7 once again dominated the game. We sank another tough three-pointer, as well as driving to the basket. we failed to help each other on defense, allowing the opponents to drive all the way without contest. and even then we failed to box out and secure the defensive rebound. In this tense quarter, we also missed a couple of underbaskets, made crucial turnovers, missed free-throws which would have otherwise turned the match around.

U14 AND1 Tournament RI 63-32 Springfield

Coach said, if we won today's game by 20 points, it will be considered a loss for us. We won by 31, and all of us agreed that today's game was horrible.

And no, i'm not being sarcastic.

We started the game horribly, with our starting 5 barely managing any scoring. Our wings were rushing a few shots which were bad, some even bouncing of the backboard without touching the rim at all. We ran our play only twice throughout the entire quarter properly, and those times were missed shots. Fortunately, we managed to pull ahead with some fast break points from Ming Jun and mark.

The second quarter was phenomenal. We played extremely well, with Seah Nguan knocking down a tough baseline shot, and Wee Xuan pushed the momentum with a few fast break points. The second unit had made the extra effort into going in after every shot and getting the offensive rebounds over and over again that quarter. We were so good, we pulled our lead from 4 points to almost 20 points! However, the game was momentarily stopped when our point guard was called for a charge and no. 4 had to substituted out due to injuries.

The third quarter was heartbreaking and terrible. Perhaps it was because of a new play coach set, or because of inexperience and faitgue, we just had continuous turnovers. The player who was supposed to take a shot was always not on timing, and the point guard and other wing were ineffective in handling the ball, leading to many turnovers which almost could have killed us all. A timeout was called after a 12-0 run, and the starters went back in. Fortunately, we managed to pull off the play and knock down a few shots to stop the run. On the other hand, one of our wings failed in all his three shots at the charity stripe after a three point foul.

The final quarter was much better, with many fast breaks that led to easy lay ups, though not all were converted, and the play ran very smoothly. We were able defensively, and that led to many turnovers which explained for the large deficit.

Today's game, there is much room for improvement. One thing to note is that we were all too eager to steal the spotlight, trying to fire three pointers at will. That's not the way to play basketball. With that kind of mentality, the team would just fall apart from this constant internal desire to outshine everyone else. At the end of the day, it is not the scores or statistics that matter, they are just numbers that which doesn't last forever. What lasts forever is the experience, the bonding between your batch, the will to keep improving yourselves together, working towards a common goal. That's the most important thing of all. Good job by Mingjun today for his good defense and his improving offensive skills, and Seah nguan for his good defense and rebounding too. Good job everyone, eat more to carbo load for the two matches in a row next week, and lets keep improving there.

MVPs:

RI: Ming Jun, Seah Nguan

Springfield: no. 12

U14 ACSIS Tournament Schedule

8th Dec 2009 (Tue): RI vs OFS 4pm @ OFS (Overseas Family School)
19th Jan 2010 (Tue): RI vs SAS 5:15pm @ SAS (Singapore American School)

21st Jan 2010 (Thu): RI vs UWC 4:45pm @ UWC (United World College)