Final scores:
(Girls) KE vs EH: 14 - 37
(Guys) KE vs EH: 32 - 67
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Girls’ basketball: KE vs EH

The KE7 girls’ basketball team began their warm-up as soon as the KE7 guys’ team started to play the 4th quarter. The atmosphere in Raffles Hall was electrifying, with supporters and players from both KE7 and Eusoff cheering their players on.The sound of the whistle was heard and the basketball was thrown into the air by the referee. KE7 had control of the ball! Before the 1st timeout, we were leading by 10-5 against Eusoff with a few 3 pointers from Nicole and baskets from Eunice. Spirits were high in the KE7 camp. However, the opponents were fast in recognizing our tactics. After the 1st timeout, Eusoff players began to press Nicole, limiting her movements.

Score after 1st quarter: 15-10

During the 2nd and beginning of 3rd quarter, KE7 girls did not make much attempt to shoot. This could be due to the pressure by Eusoff and the anxiety felt by our girls. One of the KE7 strategies was to play a slow game. However, whenever Eusoff had the ball, they used the fast break strategy and managed to score when they shot.

Score after 2nd quarter: 23-10
Score after 3rd quarter: 37-14

In the 4th quarter, KE7 girls had control of the ball and shot more. We fought back and clawed our way back into the game. However, it was a little late as we ran out of time.

Final score: 37-14 in Eusoff’s favour

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A player speaks

“Before the match, many of our players were understandably nervous, considering that we were up against formidable Eusoff (whose name strikes fear into IHG sportsmen), and also because it would be the first IHG match for most of us. Imagine our elation when KE led by 10-5 at one point in the 1st quarter. However, we were unable to maintain our great start as Eusoff slowly caught up until the game ended at 37-14 to Eusoff. Although we lost, I can proudly say that we played well as a team. We were greatly outnumbered by Eusoff in terms of the number of substitutes they had on the bench who ready to replace any tired player on court. KE, however, had to make do with 10 players who continued playing throughout the game, showing no signs of fatigue.

We played with smiles on our faces, and never gave up although we were behind, and conceded defeat with our heads held high. May we display the same fighting spirit against our next opponents, Sheares!”- Hui Ann

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That’s the true spirit of sportsmanship! We still have another chance getting into the top 3 in this competition as we still have a match with Sheares on Fri, Jan 5. Come on girls!! We can do it!!

- Grace

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Guys’ basketball: KE vs EH
An evaluation

In many ways, while watching the guys’ basketball match, I was reminded of a match I saw involving my own high school basketball team, which had made many of the same mistakes. The overall score was 32 - 67 in favour of Eusoff, but scores rarely tell the full picture.

Eusoff was very organised and possessed speed and skill in equal amounts. We, on the other hand, played like individuals rather than players. Still, it was rumoured that some of our best players are still not back yet, and perhaps this counted against us.The game was heated and intense with many a violent squabble but the referees (who were actually being examined) were quick to prevent any escalation of conflicts. Our number 21 was the only one cautioned. Ironically, number 21 in the opposite team was by far the best player of the night, with such agility and pace that it seemed like he was at two places at once, and worthy of mention by a rival hall!

Eusoff concentrated heavily on a long ball tactic. Like tigers in a cave, they waited for our attack to breakdown upon which they immediately hauled the ball like a cannon to the other end where a Eusoffian would be waiting to score immediately. Many points were won like this and our morale took a hit. Although we did resort to strongman tactics, Eusoff weren’t complete sportsmen either; on the occasions that we were given a clear cut chance they weren’t afraid to foul when necessary to stop us.

Overall, we converted most of our free shots while Eusoff’s players missed quite a few. But it’s quantity and not quality that matters, and Eusoff had the quantity.Also, there was not much sophistication to our attack. In contrast, our enemies employed screening (blocking a defender’s path to allow a fellow attacker to pass through), switching (running to and fro so as to confuse the defence), drawing (running up to layup so as to draw defenders and then pass to a nearby unmarked attacker who can easily finish) and many other moves of efficient basketball. However, there were instances when we were just as capable as the other team, and the swift exchanges from one end of the court to the other made it seem almost like a table-tennis game.

On our side, the KEVII team captain deserves the most praise. Carrying out blitzing solo runs through their defence and at other times scoring a number of 3 pointers, he was largely responsible for ratcheting up the team’s final score, and did bring some hope to the supporters. However, whenever he lost the ball, (which was a majority of the time) the Eusoffians rapidly counterattacked and punished us. Considering that these tactics meant that he was largely playing a one-man game he also quickly became tired, leaving KE worse off than before.

The game ended with Eusoff as the deserving winners.

Having seen basketball games play out like this during my years at high school, I hope that we can improve in future and do not end up giving up like my team did!

After all, this is only the beginning… there’s still time to learn and start anew.

- Suhas