ACSIS U16: RI 70-23 Overseas Family School

Coming in from a decent performance on Monday, we were determined to do better and further improve on our attack and work on our defense. Despite the scoreline today, it is no reflection of our improvements and our execution.

We exploded right from the start, with our centers just dominating the inside well and defensively, our point guard did a very good defensive job of pressurizing the OFS perimeter players, who were weak in ball handling, coming up with a bunch of beautiful steals that led to easy baskets on the other end, with our wings pushing the pace. However, execution wise we were not perfect, we only had our chances because of the lack of post defenders on our centers.

For the next three quarters, we ran our break well and we went into a 3-22. Despite forcing many turnovers, we realised that it was not because of good defense, but because that our opponents was a raw team and had poor ball handling skills, not because of our excellent defense and whatsoever. There were even times, where we got into a perfect trap position but the other defenders just ball-watched and did not move, wasting the efforts of the team. On offense, we slowed down our pace and though we still manage to get baskets here and there, we were not working well as a unit, only doing the very basics of passing without running any of our set plays. We had fine outside shots from Bao Kun and two threes from Yao Zhong that widened the lead and our posts had our momentum going on. We ended the game 23-70.

Today's game scoreline really does not show our performance. Though we had a few things going here left and right, we are still not working together AS A TEAM, and today we relied a lot on individual skills against weaker defenders to create the blowout scoreline. That is unacceptable. Playing against opponents without their star shooter and them weak in fundamentals, we have to fine tune and perfect our game, and we can only do that if all of us aim high for perfection, only then will our team efforts fall into place. Have a good rest, and brace yourselves for a match with our friends at the other side of Bishan tomorrow.

MVPs:

(RI)

Yves

Bao Kun

(OFS)

Nick

ISIBL U16 RI 44-31 United World College

Today starts of the day of our U16 ISIBL tournament!

After coming in and warming up, we readied for a physical game and coach went through our plays before emphasizing the importance of defense again, and putting in the sec 2s to start the tournament.

Our offense sparked off right from the very start, where Mark knocked down a three in our very first play. We played aggressively from defense and gave UWC a hard time. On the offensive end, we were flowing from beyond the arc. With the combined efforts of Mark, Chun Cheong and Bao Kun, we had 5 threes already in the very first quarter! We pulled ahead quickly and furiously and ended 8-18, with Bao Kun sealing his free throw after a nasty foul. However, our full-court trap failed as we let one of their players have an attempt to go for the layup with 3 seconds left on the clock.

In the second and third quarter , we rotated more of the team into play. However, not only did we let them grab the rebounds over our heads, there were some long rebounds that we could have taken and we allowed the UWC players to hustle and throw it back into the court to continue running their plays. On defense however, Yao Zhong and Bao Kun did us proud by constantly harassing the UWC point guards, coming up with about 3 steals and always deflecting the ball and upsetting the UWC play. Unfortunately, we slowed down on the offensive end and rushed more and more into our attack, spamming incessantly and unnecessarily.

The last quarter, we calmed down and executed more and more. There were times where we could have done better but it was still okay.

Today for the first game of the tournament, most of us sec 3s were out of competitive basketball for too long and we did not take enough shots and/or set ourselves up properly. As seniors of the team we have to contribute more on that. On defense, today we learnt that 2 seconds of lethargy can ruin a whole near 24 seconds worth of defensive efforts, so BOX OUT, hustle for those loose balls, and we can move on to offense because rebounds win championships.

(RI):

Bao Kun

Yao Zhong

(UWC):

no. 18

ACSIS: RI 29-39 Singapore American School

Despite training on our defense to prepare for this game, our defense was still very bad with the opponents getting the ball in the painted area easily. This was because of varies reasons. Firstly, the wings on the weak side did not drop down to help out in the defense. Secondly, we were not taking our man, and there was confusion over whose was whose man. Thirdly, the post did not play aggressive defense, and front the opponents. As they were bigger than us, they naturally got the ball easily.

Furthermore, we played bad offense. After inbounding the ball, we wanted to pass a long one to the forwards in front so that they could have fast breaks. However, perhaps we were playing at the wrong tempo, and many of those passes we made were intercepted by the opponents. Sometimes, when there was open man, we did not see him and did not pass; we even made bad passes to those people.

Moreover, the Americans had made preparations for us. For example, knowing that our posts could drive to the basket, they always had people behind the ball, so that it would not become a 1 to 1 offense. They also were prepared for our full court press, with the players screening for each other during the inbounds play.

At the end of the first, after very bad defense, we were down 15 to 9.

In the second to fourth quarter, we played a full court press. At the start, we pressed very successfully, and the caught up by 8 points, and were down by 3. However, after that, we never caught up again. Our press was revealing its weakness. There were players who were not very sure of the press, and from time to time, we did not manage to trap them.

Despite wanting to win the game very much, we did not win. We played one of our worst games, so how can we expect to win? There were too many turnovers because of bad passes, fouls, and travels. Perhaps we could have won if we reduce those mistakes. But whatdone is done. We can only reflect and be ready for the finals

Scoring by quarters:

1st Quarter -- SAS 15 RI 9
2nd Quarter -- SAS 8 RI 5
3rd Quarter -- SAS 11 RI 12
4th Quarter -- SAS 5 RI 3

MVPs:

RI: Mark

SAS: #1 and #11

Commentary by Wee Xuan: From what I heard, you guys gave up quite a lot of rebounds. Rebounding is vital to a game too so remember to box out and be active on your feet. To box out guys bigger than you, simple just move and beat them on speed.

ACSIS: RI 48-37 United World College

(Reported by Mark, minor edits by Wee Xuan)

Even before the start of the game, we could see that all of their players were bigger and taller than us. Their play was simple. Move around, get ball in the paint and throw it up, then go for a rebound put-back. Our defense was decent but we still allowed them to get many offensive rebounds. We should have boxed all of them out of the area because we will definitely lose to them if we tip the ball with them.

In the third quarter, the pressured us when we were starting the ball. Due to our inexperience, we made bad passes allowing them to catch up. This happened a few times, for example, in the third quarter, they were down by 6 points, but managed to catch up and tie with us in a short time span of less than 2 minutes.

Still, we played good basketball, with a good number of fast breaks which we converted. We also did as what was instructed by the coach, and thus we ran the offense very well, with lots of good passes.

However, this game was an extremely physical game, with both sides pulling and pushing each other, and the opponents using vulgarities. Nevertheless, even if the opponents were calling us names, or playing dirty with us, we should not lose our temper, or sneer at them when we get the basket plus the foul. If we do so, we not only not be able to concentrate on shooting the free throws, we will also play a bad game overall. Moreover, we should not follow the opponents, and purposely hurt others, or even kick the ball just because you are not happy. (Correction by WeeXuan: we should not be played by our opponent mind games' and follow suit to foul them.) Not only will you get a technical foul, it also shows the poor sportsmanship in you.

Lastly, kudos to Kevin for scoring his first basket of the season. J

 

Scoring by quarters:

1st Quarter -- UWC 11 RI 4
2nd Quarter -- UWC 7 RI 12
3rd Quarter -- UWC 9 RI 16
4th Quarter -- UWC 10 RI 16

MVPs:

RI: Ming Jun and Phi

SAS: #16

 

 

 

ACSIS U14: RI 44-40 Singapore American School

(written by mark)

In the first and second quarter, we played a man to man defence. The Americans played a pick and roll offence. They pretty much executed screens at every opportunity. We however did not fight past the screens, and by the second to third screen, there was confusion everywhere with players even losing sight of the player they were defending. Thus, the opponents could cut to the centre of the paint area to get easy shots. On offense, we did not know what play to run. Though there were problems in the play, we still managed to score with our players playing 1 to 1 with the opponents.

In the third quarter, we change our defence to a 3-2 zone. Although there was less confusion and cuts while the opponents were executing the play, there was bad help, and the guards could cut to the paint area occasionally. We also did not pressure their guards enough, allowing the Americans to score 2 3pointer, their only 2 in the game. Furthermore, being down by 6 points, we should not have allowed them to simply make passes from one guard to the other uncontested. Also, we were no scoring on fast breaks. Moreover, we travelled with the ball, and committed charging foul unnecessarily. When the Americans pressure us when we were starting the ball, we threw the ball away or had the ball stripped from us. This quarter, we were outplayed by the opponents, and they nearly doubled the amount we scored.

Fortunately, we were able to make a comeback after being down 32-38. We used a full court press. As the opponent only had 1 ball handler, the ball kept coming to him, and we kept pressuring him. After gaining possession of the ball, we sprinted down to score. After leading by four points, we changed back to our 3-2 zone defence. Being down by 4 points and the clock signalling the end of game in 2 minutes, we did not pressure the guards, letting them take 3 pointers. Fortunately, it did not go in, and we hang on to the lead until the end.

We should be more aware of when to pressure and when to not pressure. Being down by 6, we definitely got to pressure, especially when there is no shot clock. Also, although today's full court press allowed us to totally outscore the opponents; we should improve it because there are many teams with more than 1 good ball handler. Still, a win is a win. Good Job Guys!

Scoring by quarters:

1st Quarter -- SAS 12 RI 9
2nd Quarter -- SAS 10 RI 14
3rd Quarter -- SAS 16 RI 9
4th Quarter -- SAS 2 RI 12

MVPs:

RI: Chun Cheong and Ming Jun

SAS: #4