23-05-2025
Hwa Chong regain girls' A Div basketball title; ACJC complete three-peat for boys
Eunoia Junior College's Gweneth Low (left) attempting to block a layup by Hwa Chong Institution's Eda Kong (right) in the National School Games A Div Girls' basketball final at Jurong East Sports Hall on May 23, 2025. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
SINGAPORE – A strong defence was the key as Hwa Chong Institution's girls' basketball team regained their National School Games A Division title by defeating Eunoia Junior College 53-36 at Jurong East Sport Hall on May 23.
In the process, Hwa Chong, who had lost 57-44 to Nanyang Junior College in the 2024 final, also claimed a record-extending 14th title.
When asked what was the key factor behind their success, Hwa Chong coach Neo Beng Siang replied: 'Defence, always emphasise on defence. We needed to match our opponents' intensity and play good defence.
'I need to thank all the players for their effort and intensity and, of course, our opponents and their never-give-up mentality to keep fighting, although they were down by 20.'
His captain, point guard Madelin Lock, who scored a game-high 18 points, said: 'I felt that the team was really nervous at first, but our fighting spirit and our team camaraderie allowed us to push through, even though we were missing our shots.
'We fought for everything, and for me personally, they (the team) really lifted me up and they kept encouraging me.'
Hwa Chong Institution's Madelin Lock sinking a free throw in the National School Games A Div Girls' basketball final at Jurong East Sports Hall on May 23.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Both teams got off to a scrappy start and it took two minutes before Hwa Chong opened the scoring via a free throw from Julia Sim.
But they soon got into their stride and held a commanding 18-6 lead heading into the second period.
Eunoia coach Allen Lee said: 'We didn't play according to our game plan. In the first quarter, Hwa Chong managed to pull ahead and open a lead against us.
'So from then on, it was an uphill battle, but I'm very proud of the girls, because we never gave up.'
Hwa Chong further extended their advantage in the second and third quarters, leading 31-15 and 48-25 respectively.
Eunoia fought back in the final quarter, outscoring Hwa Chong 11-5, but it was not enough to overturn a 23-point deficit.
Eunoia captain and power forward Allysa Lidya Bintang said: 'In this final, we had really a lot of hope to win.
'Throughout the game, our level of fight was really there, but unfortunately, we didn't get the result we wanted, but it's okay, I'm really, really proud of my team, because they really fought all the way until the end.'
Anglo-Chinese Junior College captain Eshan Kaul holding the trophy aloft as his teammates celebrate their win over Raffles Institution in the National School Games A Div boys' basketball final at Jurong East Sports Hall on May 23.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
In the A Division boys' final, Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) overcame a slow start to beat Raffles Institution (RI) 64-57 and claim their third consecutive title.
RI flew out of the blocks and quickly gained a 10-5 lead over the defending champions.
But ACJC eased into the game and finished the first quarter 15-14 up.
'I think we came out of the gate with a very strong belief that we could have done it,' said RI captain Ignatius Lau, a shooting guard.
'That was probably the best start we could have asked for. We knew that they were going to hit us back. But I feel like my team has responded really well, we still kept in the game and made sure that we gave them a good fight.'
RI coach Kua Hiong Yong added: 'To reach this final and then post such a big fight to the team that has two consecutive championships... I think they have done whatever they can, so I'm very proud of my boys today.'
Raffles Institution's S Adityah (in white) attempting to block a reverse lay-up by Anglo-Chinese Junior College's captain Eshan Kaul (in dark blue) in the National School Games A Div Boys' basketball final at Jurong East Sports Hall on May 23.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
ACJC then turned up the heat in the second quarter, going into the half 32-23 up, before maintaining their lead despite RI outscoring them 15-14 and 19-18 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
ACJC coach Lee Boon Hian, who was very animated throughout, shouting instructions from the sidelines, said he believes this helped 'the players to push further, because I think they were kind of lost'. He added: 'Being vocal will lead them to the championship.'
His captain, power forward Eshan Kaul added: ' Our coach is always like that. That's his way of encouraging us and motivating us. And through training he's like this, and it's a lot of pressure, but it trains us for this moment exactly, so that when the time gets tough, we can execute his plan.
'The feeling is great, we train super hard and have had a lot of problems, but to come back and win it, it's an incredible feeling.'
Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times.
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