Nanyang Girls’, North Vista take ‘C’ Div basketball honours

SINGAPORE — After finishing second no fewer than eight times, including the last two years, Nanyang Girls’ High (NYGH) finally lifted the National Schools ‘C’ Division Basketball Championship crown when they beat Anglican High 59-37 in a repeat of last year’s final at the Singapore Sports Hub yesterday.

In the boys’ ‘C’ Division final, North Vista beat Catholic High 52-49 to claim their first title since 2010.

Some 2,000 fans filled the OCBC Arena to witness NYGH overcome the defending champions and gain revenge for last year’s final, which they lost 37-44.

“We have a number of players who can step up,” said NYGH teacher-in-charge of basketball Chen Hui Lin. “Our key players kept their composure, so the shots came in and that was quite important.”

Nanyang Girls’ captain Adeline Wong was key to her side’s victory, as she scored 18 points en route to securing the Most Valuable Player award.

“We were a lot calmer this time compared with previous matches where we kept rushing things. We were also more focused and tried to go back to basics,” she said.

But the boys’ final was a tighter affair. Centre Cheng Ye Hui proved the difference between the two sides as he notched 21 points, including a free throw in the final seconds, to help clinch the title.

“He made one important floater to help us seal the game,” said North Vista captain Lim Joe Yang. “It was a scary fourth quarter today, we almost lost it but luckily for us, Ye Hui stepped up to the occasion.” JEAN IAU