Reflection

"What to do with a mistake - recognise it, admit it, learn from it, and forget it."

Dean Smith

Reflection Questions for C Div 2007

1) What would be the ONE thing that we did well for the season? what did we achieve that was most worthwhile?

2) If we had a chance to do this all over again, what we would be ONE thing that you will do differently?

C Div 2007: RI vs Jurong

Final Score
RI 47-50 Jurong

This was the last match of the group stage, and we had to win in order to qualify for the second round of the nationals.

We started off pretty tense, missing lots of free throws and executing our offense poorly, ending the quarter at 15-6. The second quarter was where we gained back our confidence, making timely interceptions and converting offensive rebounds and fastbreaks, going on a huge streak to lead 23-17. In the third quarter, Jurong managed to fight back, and led us by 6 points going into the last quarter. We fought hard, and down by 1 with 6 seconds to go, we misjudged their out of bounds play and allowed them to score an open basket, With 1 second left on the clock, Ravins tried a long range attempt which went in and out, marking the end of a really close game.

So, we're out of the nationals.

But we'll learn from our mistakes and do much better next time.

It Happened Before.

Hi C boys, I just want to have my say before you all go into your game. (please read coach's post, below mine)

2004: When I was Secondary 1, Raffles Basketball C division was nothing, no one expected us to make the nationals, or even the Top 4.

Nationals 1st Round: We had to beat either Rivervalley (Zone 2nd) or Woodlands Ring (Zone 1st) to qualify. We beat WRS by 8 points and lost to Rivervalley by 7. But we still qualified on a +1 point difference, we beat WRS and erased the 21 points pre-season thrashing by them.

Nationals 2nd Round: We had to beat either Maris Stella (Zone 3rd but expected to beat us) or Unity to qualify. We lost to Unity by 21 points. We entered the Maris game as underdogs. We were down by 10 at one point but we blitzed past them and won by 16. We qualified.

Nationals 3rd/4th placing: We lost to CCHSM in the semis by 7. So we played Woodgrove (Zone 2nd, and we were expected to lose). We stopped their superstar and we won by about 10+ points. So 2004 concluded RI C'div 2004: Zone 3rd, Nationals 3rd.

That year, our circumstance was even more impossible that what you'll are at now. So, its definitely possible.

2006:

Zone 2nd Round: We lost to Queensway by 1 unexpectedly, unplanned, unnecessarily. We dug ourselves into a hole and we had to find a way out by beating Newtown and Queenstown, both whom were seemingly good enough to beat us well. We beat Newtown by 17 we beat the Queenstown team (that we lost to by 20, 10, 5 points during a friendly, zone 1st round match, and semi final match respectively in 2004 during C Division) 21 points. We qualified.

So its your turn guys. Its never impossible. We did it, we weren't supposed to, but we intended to. We don't need you to emulate any success. Write your own story and beat Jurong on Monday. If its anything we have that the others don't have, its Dream Team FIGHT Win.

Winning Starts with a Compelling Vision

Every moment, even when the splitting headaches come, I think of winning. On the bed, before the computer, before and after I discovered I had chicken pox.

• I think of RI beating Jurong and going crazy when the whistle goes.
• I dream of the frozen faces of the Jurong players and fierce determination of the RI boys.
• I dream of the opponents missing layups and giving up offensive rebounds.
• I dream of them committing defensive fouls as we let loose and attack.

(heck I even think of beating them by 54 and knocking them out)

Doesn't matter whether I can be there or not, I can see that reality in my eyes.

Jonathan will do well, in training and even in matches. There are many blind spots that he has helped me correct. Every training session is a result of discussion between us. To coach the team all the way and hand it over to JW for last 2 sessions will help more than it impedes.

Take for example the jump stop instruction - I would never have thought about that.

So pick yourselvs up and go - stop emo-ing and prove yourselves worthy of wearing that jersey. For all your skills and ability, you have proven nothing yet.

Every batch has gone through severe setbacks and prevailed. You have gone through setbacks. But I've not seen you prevail. Wake up and prove yourselves!

Everybody thinks you will lose - are you guys in such a pathetic state that you think the same?

C Div Boys 2007: Nationals 1st Round

Pardon late update, RI had 2 very bad games in the past 3 days.


RI 50 vs EastSpring 51

The team were mentally unprepared for the game and were handed a shock defeat by East Zone 3rd place team EastSpring.
It was a game where everything wrong occured together:

1. Poor play
2. Disunity
3. Dubious calls
4. All other problems you can think of, including a late bus.

We deserved to lose and dug ourselves this hole - now we have to climb out of it.


RI 48 vs Maris Stella 46
With 1 serious injury, 1 sick boy, and the possibility of elimination, RI turned in an extremely nervous & subpar performance. We led for 3 quarters but never managed to pull away. Then in the 4th quarter, Maris turned the tables and led RI by as much as 6 points.
With our backs against the wall, RI dug in a fought back and staged a miraculous turnaround to win by 2. Indeed the only way to describe it is: 死里逃生

With these 2 games, RI has to beat Jurong to ensure qualification for 2nd round. Any loss and our fate will depend on other results.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, we press on toward the goal to win the prize

C Div Boys 2007: Nationals

Group A: Catholic High, Dunman Sec, Deyi, NanHua
Group B: Jurong, Raffles, East Spring, Maris Stella
Group C: Presbyterian High, Unity, Pierce, Chung Cheng High
Group D: Anglican High, North Vista, Kranji, Queensway

Schedule for Nationals
(All matches at Singapore Basketball Centre)

1 Aug 1400hrs: RI vs East Spring
3 Aug 1630hrs: RI vs Maris Stella
13 Aug 1515hrs: RI vs Jurong

South Zone Finals: RI vs Catholic High

RI play Catholic High in the South Zone Finals, C Div 2007

Date: 24th July 2007
Time: 1500hrs
Venue: Delta Sports Complex

RI lost 57-64 in the South Zone Finals. We led in the 1st quarter after falling behind at the start. Halfway through the game we led again but lost it going into end game. With 50 sec left, we were 2 points down. However with 3 starters down with cramps and one fouled out, we had to go deep deep into our bench.

However we lost concentration on 2 full-court presses and allowed Cat High 2 easy baskets and a free throw. That accounted for the eventual 7 point gap.

This does not need to be a bad loss if we can learn from it. Of all things, it exposed clearly a few of our stubborn habits. Now that it has cost us dearly, we should be highly motivated to change them. I'm also thankful that we were tested for the first time this season, we need these games to improve - and I believe we have much more short-term upside compared to the other teams.

We'll be back.


Preview
RI enter the game as underdogs, having lost to Cat High by 20 points in a pre-season match. However a lot has changed for the RI team since then, and we have reason to believe that it will be competitive this time round.

2 teams of contrasting strengths:

Cat High

• 2x 1.85-1.9m post players
• 1x Malaysian
• 3 superstars (1 at point guard, 1 at forward, one at the post)
• Experienced and mostly sec 2s

Raffles

• Average height all round
• Deep team with no superstars
• Relatively inexperienced with a mix of sec 1s and sec 2s

Come support the younger generation fo Rafflesian Basketballers as we attempt to break the stranglehold Cat High has enjoyed on the local scene the past 2 years.
(Cat High will likely bring a big group of supporters, we need every bit of support we can muster.

It will be RI's 3rd C Div SZ finals in 3 years - it's about time we win it.

South ZoneSemi Finals: RI vs Peirce

Final Score:
RI 58-39 Peirce Sec

This was the semi-final of the South Zone tournament, and was a closely contested affair.

In the first quarter, RI let in some outside shots, but led 16-11 at the break. The second quarter wasn't played very well, tying 12-12, and leading by only 5 points at the hald. We got back our stride in the game, and outscored them 16-12 in the 3rd quarter, and finally punished a tiring Perice 14-4 in the final quarter, to win 58-39.

We committed many stupid fouls, with 3 players nearly fouling out.

Bad Points:
1) Guarding High Post
2) Stupid Fouls
3) Rebounding

South Zone 2nd Round (C Div)

Group X: ACS (International), Guang Yang, Catholic High, Henderson, Pierce
Group Y: Yu Ying, Queensway, Raffles, Kent Ridge, Outram

All 2nd round matches at CCAB

• 9 Jul (Mon) 1415hrs - RI vs Kent Ridge (won 84-16)
• 11 Jul (Wed) 1300hrs - Outram vs RI (won 61 - 36)
• 13 Jul (Fri) 1415hrs - RI vs Queensway (won 67-28)
• 16 Jul (Wed) 1300hrs - RI vs Yu Ying (won 65-30)

Semi Finals: 20 Jul 07 (Friday) @ CCAB

• 1415hrs: Cat High vs Queensway
• 1530hrs: RI vs Pierce
  

Finals: 24 Jul 07 (Tuesday) @ Delta

South Zone 2nd Round: RI vs YuYing

Final Score:
RI 65-30 Yuying Secondary

16/7/07 Monday

This was the last match of the second round, and was inconsequential to our qualification for the semi finals of the zonals.

The first quarter started off with a 6-0 run, as we cruised to a 17-2 lead. The second quarter wasn't as great, with a close score of 11-7, ending the half at 28-9. The third quarter was average, going 19-12 in our favour, and we started 2-2-1 trapping in the final quarter and won by a margin of 35 points.

Bad Points:
1) Passing (Outlet and cross-court) was horrible, and we gave away about 20 possessions
2) Echoing on court
3) Defensive Rebounding (Box-outs)

South Zone 2nd Round: RI vs Queensway

Final Score:
RI 67-28 Queensway

This match was a tough one, especially as they were also vying for the top spot in the group.

We led 13-8 after the first quarter, letting in some wild 3 point shots. We did our best in the second quarter, shutting them down to win 22-7, and lead 35-15 at the half.

The third quarter was where we started our man to man defense, and we managed a respectable 13-7 lead in that quarter, bringing the scoreline to 48-22 in our favour. The last quarter was where we started trapping, and we ended the game 67-28.

Our next match is on Monday against Yuying!

South Zone 2nd Round: RI vs Outram

Final Score:
RI 61-36 Outram

This was the second match of the second round, and was by far the most challenging. We played out a messy first quarter to lead 20-12, after giving away many fastbreak layups. The second quarter was where we started to focus, and extended the lead to a halftime score of 39-20. The third and fourth quarter were very tight, with us not being able to defend the high post man, and marred with some really vicious fouls from the opposing team. We ended the game on a high note, winning 61-36.

South Zone 2nd Round: RI vs Kent Ridge

Final Score: RI 84-16 Kent Ridge

This was the first match of the 2nd round of the south zone tournament. With some scares of diarrhoea and fever the previous week, we were back to full strength again (other than brandon's sprained ankle).

We started the first quarter playing good zone defense, storming to a 16-2 lead.
In the second quarter, we let our guard down, playing bad defense and executing poor offensive plays, barely beating them 12-10 and ending the quarter with a 28-12 lead. We regained our composure in the third quarter, limiting them to 2 points and leading 44-14. We did our 2-2-1 trap and full court man to man defense in the last quarter, killing off the game with a 40-2 swipe and winning the match 84-16.

C Div Boys 2007 1st Round

The C Div boys season is ON!

Click on the link for the complete SZ Fixtures!

Here're the RI fixtures (all matches @ CCAB):

• 27/6 Wednesday 1530hrs - ACS(I) vs RI 8 - 108
• 29/6 Friday 1415hrs - RI vs Peicai 112-15
• 3/7 Tuesday 1415hrs - Guangyang vs RI 27 - 51
• 5/7 Thursday 1300hrs - RI vs Fairfield Methodist 59-33

Look out for updates on our pre-season preparation!

SZ 1st Round: RI vs Fairfield Methodist

RI beat Fairfield 59-33 in the final match of the first round of the south zone tournament.

It was a very uplifting result, especially when we did not have all our players fully fit/ able to play.

The first quarter was played with little optimism, and somehow we ended it trailing 8-7.
We picked up the fight in the 2nd quarter and converted some fastbreak opportunites to lead 23-12 at the half.
We started tiring and in the third quarter, we played out a fairly even contest which ended 15-14 in our favour, making it 38-26.
The last quarter was a high scoring one, 21-7 to us, and we won the match 59-33.

South Zone 1st Round: RI vs Guangyang

The third match of the first round of the South Zone C div tournament was played today.
Final Score: RI 51-27 Guangyang

The first quarter produced a sluggish start from both sides which was full of missed under baskets and layups, ending 8-6 in our favour. After a scrappy second quarter, we managed to force out a slender lead of 9 points. 19-10 at the half.

The third quarter was where we extended most of our lead, with some fastbreak opportunities, ending 39-17. The last quarter played out a man-to-man defense for us, and the game ended 51-17.

All in all, it was a very very poor and dispirited performance by us, and we do need to buck up and concentrate more on the game. We were very confident after the first two 100-point games and our overconfidence showed.

We have to win on thursday

South Zone 1st Round: RI vs Peicai Secondary

Final Score:
RI 112-15 Peicai Secondary

RI swept aside Peicai by a margin of 97 points in the 2nd match of the South Zone tournament. Although we didnt reach our goal of keeping the opposition under 10 points for the whole game, we are still rather pleased with the result.

The first quarter ended with a scoreline of 28-7 in our favour, after their main post player made a few turnaround shots.

We upped the tempo in the second quarter, and limited them to just 4 points to lead 56-11.

The 3rd quarter showed many signs of tiredness as the scoreline came to 72-15.

The last quarter was by far the most memorable as we whitewashed them 40-0 with our half court and full court man to man defence.

As Coach puts it, he wants to see the fight and fire in us through our communication, defense intensity, and rebounding, and we must remain confident but not cocky after winning this match.

First Match of South Zone

Yesterday was the highly anticipated first match of the south zone tournament, against ACS I.

Final Score: RI 108-8 ACS I

RI played with great heart and blew away the opponents by a margin of 100 points.

Our next match is against Peicai on friday at 2pm at CCAB.

T Net Final

Sorry for the late post.

Final Score: RI 36-40 Jurong

RI lost the final to Jurong on the 16th of June in a closely contested match.
RI dominated the boards in the first half, to lead by a score of 20-18.
Evidently distracted by the half-time performances, we lost our concentration and played out a 3rd quarter in which they outscored us 14-7.
We weren't able to salvage the situation in time and we lost the match 40-36.
All in all, we could see their shooting and intensity of defense was better than ours.

We've gotta fight to make sure we get back on par with them!

RI-Unity

Final Score: RI 43-28 Unity

This game was played on 12/6/07 and was the final match of the 2nd round of the T-Net tournament, and was crucial in every sense of the word. If we had won, we would be through to the finals, having won all our 2nd round matches. If we had lost, we would have made it to the 3rd-4th placings. We WON and we're IN THE FINALS!

So the game was like this:

In the first quarter, we managed to stop their star tall player No. 3 and played great zone defense with communication rated 7/10 by coach (10/10 he says includes trash talking like "shoot" and "drive" and daring the opponent to do something) and the scoreline said it all-- 14-4 after the first quarter to us.

In the next few quarters, RI and Unity exchanged blows when they played man-to-man full court. Without their main star player who had apparently gone to genting, Unity appeared out of offensive threats other than their No. 3 who controlled the ball extremely well.

We won in the end by 15 points, a respectable margin by all sorts.