Thursday, April 14, 2011

RI 37 - 34 Fairfield

This was a close match from the beginning and we only started to pick up the pace in the 2nd quarter. We trailed behind by 1 point at the end of the 1st quarter. At the start of the 2nd quarter, our zone defense started to work out. However, we were just very rushed in this match and failed to listen to the coach's instructions. Luckily there was internal dispute among the opponents which helped us a little. In the last few seconds. the opponents started to foul us intentionally out of desperation. We managed to keep our cool and maintain possession.

This was a rather good match. We definitely have overachieved, but could have pushed harder and get even better results in this South Zone Tournament.
1st Quarter--RI 7 FMS 8
2nd Quarter--RI 8 FMS 13
3rd Quarter--RI 15 FMS 4
4th Quarter--RI 7 FMS 9

RI 50 - 60 Queensway

This was a really bad match, we were just not in the game throughout the whole match. We also had very low intensity showing that we just were not prepared. We lost mainly due to too many silly mistakes and poor weak side rebound.

Coach prepared us well for this match, but the moment we stepped into the court, we just did not play to what we trained. We failed to deny their key player, had bad weak-side rebound and outlet passes. Every time we caught up, we simply made several silly mistakes and gave the opponent the lead again. It was basically a really disappointing match.
1st Quarter--RI 7 QSS 15
2nd Quarter--RI 13 QSS 14
3rd Quarter--RI 11 QSS 14
4th Quarter--RI 19 QSS 17

Monday, April 11, 2011

RI 60 - 27 Pierce

This was the last match of Round 2. Our defense was not working out very well throughout this match. We had a 13 point lead in the first quarter and managed to maintain the lead, taking home this match.

Our main goal now is to defeat Queensway this Wednesday and progress to the finals to face off with Catholic High. Although we are quite familiar with Queensway, defeating them will not be an easy task(especially since we lost to them before), they have several skillful players and move the ball fast. We have to play extremely solid defense in order to emerge victorious.
1st Quarter--RI 20 PS 7
2nd Quarter--RI 12 PS 7
3rd Quarter--RI 7 PS 10
4th Quarter--RI 21 PS 3

Friday, April 8, 2011

RI 78 - 40 PeiCai

This was the first time we ever scored more than 70 points in any match we had played before. With this victory, we secured a spot in the semi-finals.

We started off the match with a close fight due to our inability to block the cutting lanes and stop the drives. We ended off the 2nd quarter losing 20-22. However in the 3rd quarter we managed to step up the pace and shoot consistently with slightly better defense. Thus, by the start of the 4th quarter we had gained a big lead(44-29). In the 4th quarter we played extremely good offense and scored 34 points in just 10 minutes!

We hope to improve ourselves as we will meet stronger teams like Cat High and Queensway in the semi-finals.
1st Quarter--RI 8 PCS 12
2nd Quarter--RI 12 PCS 10
3rd Quarter--RI 24 PCS 7
4th QUarter--RI 34 PCS 11

Thursday, April 7, 2011

RI 40 - 30 North Vista

This was crucial match of the first round. Even though we won the first two games, this did not guarantee us a place in the second round.

Before the start of the game, we could clearly see the size difference between us. We were clearly the underdog. However, this did not distract us from the task ahead; to full court press them for all four quarters. Like the previous game against New Town, the opponents were exhausted by the third quarter and were clearly less active on the boards and had less fast breaks. However, we too were exhausted and caused our offense to dry up. In fact, we only scored 7 points in the third quarter.

However, we held on to the lead, and by the last 2 minutes of regulation, we were up by 4 points. Sensing a defeat, the opponents changed their strategy and started fouling us intentionally. However, we converted on the 2 free throws, going 6 for 8 at the line. Furthermore, we managed to grab the crucial offensive and defensive rebounds in the last few minutes, sealing the victory for RI.

With this win, we will progress to the Top 8 of the Nationals. Our next game will be on 18 March.

1st Quarter--RI 14 NV 11
2nd Quarter--RI 5 NV 8
3rd Quarter--RI 7 NV 7
4th Quarter--RI 14 NV 4


Redsport's match report for this game here.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

RI 67 - 66 Guangyang

This match was a very close and exhausting match and we only managed to win by a narrow margin. Our intensity was not as high as our previous match and our defense was not very good in the 1st quarter. We failed to deny their key player and had little help side defense, allowing the enemy to cut to the basket easily. We also had way too many fouls(24).

In the 2nd quarter we managed to play slightly better defense and offense. The game was still very close and we trailed behind by 3 points. However we manage to out score them in the 3rd quarter, making the score 41- 41. In the 4th quarter both teams fought hard to win the game but ended up with a tie 56 - 56 leading to overtime(OT).

In OT we managed to maintain our composure and concentration, play out our plays on the offensive end and secure our basket on the defensive end, allowing us to win. We also faced 2 difficulties in this match. No.1 2 of our key players were fouled out. No.2 another 2 of our players were injured.

We hope to win the next two matches and make it to the semi-finals as the top of our group.

1st Quarter--RI 14 GYS 16
2nd Quarter--RI 12 GYS 13
3rd Quarter--RI 15 GYS 12
4th Quarter--RI 15 GYS 15
OT--RI 11 GYS 10

Monday, April 4, 2011

RI 46 - 45 New Town Secondary

This was the second game of the Nationals, and we played well. The objective for us this game was to tire our opponents, so as to get easy points in the second half. However, in the first half, we were allowing the opponents to get many offensive rebounds and fast breaks (This due to our poor help defense). On the other hand, we were not getting many fast breaks or offensive rebounds.

Things changed in the second half. Our opponents started to become exhausted, and did not play as good a defense as the first half. We managed to grab a couple of offensive rebounds and fast break, and also stopped their star player from scoring as much. Nevertheless, we were exhausted ourselves, and took quite a few low percentage shots.

The next game against North Vista is a do or die match; either we win them and proceed to the second round, or lose by more than 1 points and be eliminated from the competition. Hence, we have to play even harder than we did today, and get closer to our goal of the top 4.

1st Quarter--RI 11 New Town 12
2nd Quarter--RI 6 New Town 11
3rd Quarter--RI 15 New Town 12
4th Quarter--RI 14 New Town 10