Raffles Institution vs Hua Yi Secondary (87-32)
Points by Quarter:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
RI--------25-------15-------31-------16------------87
HYS-----12--------5---------2-------13------------32
This was our second friendly game of the year, playing Hua Yi Secondary School. The game was held at the RJC courts.
This game got off to a quick start as we jumped out to a big lead in the 1st quarter and lead 25-12 by the end of the first. We were able to force many turnovers and took advantage of their zone defense by swinging the ball fast, resulting in many open shots both beyond the arc and under the basket as they were unable to keep up with us. This continued all the way to the end of the first half as we held a halftime lead of 40-17.
The 3rd quarter was when we really pulled away for good as it seemed like we turned up the intensity of our 2-2-1 zone defense by a notch and they were unable to get the ball pass half court without turning the ball over. Due to the fact that they had turned the ball over at their side of the court, we were able to get easy layups the instant we came up with the steal. Our defense saw us through a 31-2 run in the 3rd quarter.
However in the 4th quarter, it seemed like we got a little too comfortable with ourselves as we were only able to score 16 points which was almost our lowest scoring quarter, while Hua Yi was able to score 13 points, the most they scored in one quarter. Hence we were only able to outscore them by 3 points in the 4th, the only quarter where we did not outscore them by double digits.
Improvements
Although we were able to cruise through the game, never trailing from the opening tip, we need to know how to play each quarter hard and consistently instead of coming out strong and letting loose at the end. This game was a very good example of us letting loose toward the end as we only won the 4th quarter 16-13. We need to maintain our energy throughout the whole game as until the final buzzer sounds anything can happen, especially in close games. Kicking this habit is a must
Our 2-2-1 defense was able to force many turnovers, but the 2nd line is still not doing a good and consistent job intercepting the passing lanes and sprinting back to help out the last man. One reason for this happening is that the 2nd line is too close to the 1st line and this increases the distance that the players on the 2nd line have to cover in order to recover and defend. So proper spacing can solve this problem
Lastly, easy baskets. We have to make sure we make our open layups. In this game, we missed many under baskets, but were able to get the 2nd rebound and even the 3rd or 4th rebounds and eventually put it back in. But this was only because Hua Yi had a pretty evident height disadvantage. We cannot expect us to be able to grab so many rebounds against stronger teams with bigger and taller post players. Hence, as long as we make it on our first attempt, we will be alright.
Strengths
We had fierce 2-2-1 defense which startled our opponents a little and allowed us to force many turnovers which resulted in easy baskets for us. Our matchup defense was good as well as we were able to force more than 5 shot clock violations during the game as they were unable to take a good shot with us harassing them around the perimeter.
We shared the ball well as we could swing it around alot, making the defense work and tiring them out, which gave us an advantage eventually as the game went on.
We were able to take advantage of our height and out-rebound them, giving us more possessions and hence more chances to score, but at the same time not allowing them to have many second chance points as for the most part they were only able to have one shot at the basket.
Though we won this game, we have to be ready for stronger opponents that are coming up and continue to work on our game and our defense. As of now, these are the 5 main areas that we need to improve on:
-Defense
-Fast break
-Rebounds
-Converting easy baskets
*-Free throws
On to the next one.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Raffles Institution vs Presbyterian High (60-53)
Raffles Institution vs Presbyterian High (60-53)
The road of preparation towards our season in January next year has begun! This was our first of many friendly games to come as we continue to get ourselves back into game shape. Our opponent today was Presbyterian High, one of the powerhouses in the North Zone. The game was played at Presbyterian High.
We started off the game strong, gaining an early edge of 10-4. They continued to fight back, but we were able to force them to take many outside shots which they were unable to convert and we were able to capitalize on their misses, creating fastbreak chances for ourselves.
In spite of their struggles from the outside, Pres High was able to get the ball deep into the post on several occasions where they were able to finish with ease, also drawing fouls from our players. They were strong inside and managed to grab many offensive rebounds for easy putbacks. This kept them in the game leading into the 2nd Quarter.
In the 2nd, RI was able to break away by sticking to our zone defense and game plan, allowing them to continue to shoot from the outside. Our full court press created turnovers which turned into easy lay ups for us as we were able to pressure the ball man and swipe the ball loose by double teaming them. This allowed us to gain a huge lead of 32-16 leading into the 2nd half.
Right at the start of the 3rd quarter, Pres High was able to knock down 2 three pointers in a row to cut our lead down to 10. This gave them a boost in morale and it looked like they were able to shake off the rust from earlier on as now they were starting to make jumpshots. We held our ground though, as we were able to still score points, keeping our lead.
However deep into the 4th quarter, Pres High was able to make a run as they cut our lead all the way down to just 52-51 with just over 3 mins left in the game. It looked like we were about to let this one slip away, as we had on numerous occasions the previous season. However, we were able to maintain calm despite the loud cheering from the opposing bench and their spectators, and knocked down a three to push our lead to 4. After they failed to convert on our side of the court, we were able to sprint down the court and get a fastbreak layup pushing it to 6. This took the air out of them and we were able to hang on to win with a final score of 60-53.
Improvements
We need to learn to box out better so as to prevent the opponents from getting 2nd chance points as when they get an offensive rebound, they get more possessions and this means that they will have more chances to put the ball in the basket than us.
We also need to cut way down on our turnovers as we were not in control many times on the fastbreak, losing the handle of the ball, or making careless passes without looking. We should also keep our eyes off the ball and look up so that we can find cutting and open teammates.
Free throw shooting was our Achilles heel once again as we missed plenty of opportunities to get points at the free throw line. As they say, "Games are won at the line", we have to make sure we convert on more of our free throws. If we had done that this game, perhaps the score would not have been that close towards the end.
For our 2-2-1 defense, the second line has to remember to rush back to prevent a 2-on-1 or 3-on-1 situation at our disadvantage. This happened alot during this game and they were able to get easy fastbreak layups. We do need to make sure we pressure the ball man as well as we often underestimated our opponents, not pressuring them and letting them shoot right in our faces.
Strengths
We played hard on defense, pressuring the ball and were able to get alot of steals which turned into easy layups. Our zone defense did its job as well as we were able to prevent many drives, forcing them to take outside jumpers which are shots of much lower percentage. We need to continue to do this well.
We were also able to maintain our cool towards the end of the game as we did not falter, but calmly made crucial shots which helped to break their momentum and which won us the game.
Today, the whole team was able to contribute as many players were able to score points and this carried over to the defensive side of the floor as they were able to play with more energy. We definitely need to have everyone on the team contribute to the scoring and not just depend on a few players. This is the only way we will go far when the season starts.
The road of preparation towards our season in January next year has begun! This was our first of many friendly games to come as we continue to get ourselves back into game shape. Our opponent today was Presbyterian High, one of the powerhouses in the North Zone. The game was played at Presbyterian High.
We started off the game strong, gaining an early edge of 10-4. They continued to fight back, but we were able to force them to take many outside shots which they were unable to convert and we were able to capitalize on their misses, creating fastbreak chances for ourselves.
In spite of their struggles from the outside, Pres High was able to get the ball deep into the post on several occasions where they were able to finish with ease, also drawing fouls from our players. They were strong inside and managed to grab many offensive rebounds for easy putbacks. This kept them in the game leading into the 2nd Quarter.
In the 2nd, RI was able to break away by sticking to our zone defense and game plan, allowing them to continue to shoot from the outside. Our full court press created turnovers which turned into easy lay ups for us as we were able to pressure the ball man and swipe the ball loose by double teaming them. This allowed us to gain a huge lead of 32-16 leading into the 2nd half.
Right at the start of the 3rd quarter, Pres High was able to knock down 2 three pointers in a row to cut our lead down to 10. This gave them a boost in morale and it looked like they were able to shake off the rust from earlier on as now they were starting to make jumpshots. We held our ground though, as we were able to still score points, keeping our lead.
However deep into the 4th quarter, Pres High was able to make a run as they cut our lead all the way down to just 52-51 with just over 3 mins left in the game. It looked like we were about to let this one slip away, as we had on numerous occasions the previous season. However, we were able to maintain calm despite the loud cheering from the opposing bench and their spectators, and knocked down a three to push our lead to 4. After they failed to convert on our side of the court, we were able to sprint down the court and get a fastbreak layup pushing it to 6. This took the air out of them and we were able to hang on to win with a final score of 60-53.
Improvements
We need to learn to box out better so as to prevent the opponents from getting 2nd chance points as when they get an offensive rebound, they get more possessions and this means that they will have more chances to put the ball in the basket than us.
We also need to cut way down on our turnovers as we were not in control many times on the fastbreak, losing the handle of the ball, or making careless passes without looking. We should also keep our eyes off the ball and look up so that we can find cutting and open teammates.
Free throw shooting was our Achilles heel once again as we missed plenty of opportunities to get points at the free throw line. As they say, "Games are won at the line", we have to make sure we convert on more of our free throws. If we had done that this game, perhaps the score would not have been that close towards the end.
For our 2-2-1 defense, the second line has to remember to rush back to prevent a 2-on-1 or 3-on-1 situation at our disadvantage. This happened alot during this game and they were able to get easy fastbreak layups. We do need to make sure we pressure the ball man as well as we often underestimated our opponents, not pressuring them and letting them shoot right in our faces.
Strengths
We played hard on defense, pressuring the ball and were able to get alot of steals which turned into easy layups. Our zone defense did its job as well as we were able to prevent many drives, forcing them to take outside jumpers which are shots of much lower percentage. We need to continue to do this well.
We were also able to maintain our cool towards the end of the game as we did not falter, but calmly made crucial shots which helped to break their momentum and which won us the game.
Today, the whole team was able to contribute as many players were able to score points and this carried over to the defensive side of the floor as they were able to play with more energy. We definitely need to have everyone on the team contribute to the scoring and not just depend on a few players. This is the only way we will go far when the season starts.
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