C Div Round 2 Game 3

Raffles Institution vs Pei Cai Secondary (32-38)

Points by Quarter:

1st-----2nd-----3rd-----4th
7--------7-------10-------8-------RI
17-------7--------4-------10------Pei Cai

Our 1st quarter woes finally killed us as we dug a deep hole in the first quarter against Pei Cai and were never really able to come back. This is the third game in a row where we have trailed by a large number in the first quarter and although we were able to get away with it the previous two times, we could not do it against Pei Cai as they were considerably stronger than any other opponent that we had faced. We fought hard from the 3rd quarter all the way until midway through the fourth where we were able to overcome our deficit and take a 2 point lead. However, that lead was quickly gone as we were unable to contain them on the defensive end of the floor. This was what killed us. We cannot dig ourselves a big hole and expect us to always come out from it. We were chasing the whole game and this wore us out. Our defense let us down as we allowed many layups for the opponents instead of forcing them to take late in the shot clock perimeter shots that have a lower chance of getting in. We missed quite a bit of layups today and although there might have been contact, we still should find a way to sink the basket as we do not always find ourselves so close to the rim. We definitely have to communicate on the defensive end of the floor better as we continually tried to switch our defensive assignments among ourselves and this resulted in many plays where we would find one guy wide open under the basket. Overall we didn't play that bad as we could contain their key players, giving #8 and #13 4 fouls each and limiting the number of shots that #9 the sharpshooter took. This was a valuable learning experience. Although we are all very disappointed with ourselves and know that we could be sitting at home right now with the win, we must not let this one loss affect our performance in the next game against Peirce where we have an advantage, but definitely cannot take any chances. What is done is done. Even if we are to face Catholic High in the semis, as coach said C Div is very unpredictable. If we are telling ourselves that we would lose even before the match starts, we would lose the game. We have just have to play hard and with confidence in every game. No team is unbeatable for sure in C Div. Hopefully we are able to overcome our first quarter woes in the next game and find the confidence that we have all been lacking.