A defeat by a mere 3 points reflects how close we were towards defeating the seeded team in our group.
However, the comments from the coach and my kind colleague shared a common thread - that Fajar had a golden opportunity to score a much-needed victory, but failed to capitalise on a Nan Hua team who was well and truly beaten in the first quarter.
But in the second quarter, they found their second wind and knocked the stuffing out of Fajar.
The third and final quarters were drawn. This showed how evenly matched we were. But due to the wide margin of defeat in our second quarter, we were eventually edged out by 3 points.
It is a hard defeat to take.
In future, if we ever have such a great opportunity to take the scalp of a seeded team, we must finish the job.
Qualification for the Second Round is now slim. We must win our final two matches, and hope that Nan Hua slips up in their next match.
Our fingers are crossed.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
West Zone B Division First Round: AES 54 - 42 Fajar
It was a setback, but it is still possible for us to do well.
In what was possibly the toughest match of our round, we faced off our great rivals - Assumption English School.
It seems we always meet them in the first round. In previous years, we have always played against them.
The coaches of both sides are great friends. The teachers-in-charge of both sides are also good friends. There is no animosity between AES and Fajar players. There is a lot of mutual respect.
This time, we felt that we were ready for them. We have quality players. We are both evenly matched.
Unfortunately, our plan was derailed horribly in the first quarter.
Our players seemed powerless, subdued and quiet, and AES took great advantage of our hesitancy to run rings around us and score freely.
The damage was done and the killer blow was inflicted on Fajar in this quarter. The score at the end of the first quarter: 22 - 6.
Naturally the coach and I were upset at the players. They were playing way below their usual standards. They were always half a step behind the AES opponents.
We lacked fire and the motivation.
The second quarter proved to be a slight improvement. Fajar began to raise up a gear in their play. We scored a few more baskets. More crucially, we defended tighter and stopped leaking baskets.
But there was still not enough communication. We committed too many simple errors. We still failed to box them out effectively.
But our improvement told in the second quarter score: 8 - 10.
In the third quarter, we continued to play better. We were getting better in our defence. Our centres started to wake up and dominate their opponents with sweet moves. We were winning rebounds because we started to box out more effectively.
But AES wouldn't give up. They still wanted to win and they were very lethal in several fast breaks. The third quarter score was 10 - 10.
The last quarter was Fajar's best time of the game. We were playing better than AES. Our centres were more agile and began to be very sharp under the basket. Our forwards began to be more adventurous. Zi Ting and Billy began to push and push into the AES territory. We were getting stronger.
Alas. It was all too late. By the time we started to show our quality, we ran out of time. The final quarter score was 14 - 16.
So, the first quarter was the blow that killed us. We tried to make a comeback, but the gap was too big to overcome.
What can we learn from this game? Plenty.
1. It is obvious that AES is a good team, but so is Fajar. They have strong individual players, and so do we.
2. AES played with fierce passion from the 1st quarter. Fajar didn't. Everyone was still asleep. No one was talking and galvanising the players. There was no one to yell and motivate each other. We paid dearly for our lack of communication.
3. So many times we failed to box the AES players out, resulting in losing rebounds. If we had boxed them out EVERY TIME (it can be done), we would have easily won the game.
4. Our centres need to dominate their opponents. We have good centres and we must stand firm and not be easily pushed away or brushed aside.
There is every reason to be optimistic. We have lost the first game, but everyone knows that Fajar has the quality.
For Thursday's match against Nan Hua High, we must play our game, our way, our speed. We must be more adventurous. We must play very hard and be fearless.
Most importantly, we must encourage and warn each other throughout the match. We must keep talking.
The next match is winnable. Victory is in our hands.
We still have great faith in Fajar Basketball. 2008 will be the year that we reach the Second Round. This is the year we do it.
In what was possibly the toughest match of our round, we faced off our great rivals - Assumption English School.
It seems we always meet them in the first round. In previous years, we have always played against them.
The coaches of both sides are great friends. The teachers-in-charge of both sides are also good friends. There is no animosity between AES and Fajar players. There is a lot of mutual respect.
This time, we felt that we were ready for them. We have quality players. We are both evenly matched.
Unfortunately, our plan was derailed horribly in the first quarter.
Our players seemed powerless, subdued and quiet, and AES took great advantage of our hesitancy to run rings around us and score freely.
The damage was done and the killer blow was inflicted on Fajar in this quarter. The score at the end of the first quarter: 22 - 6.
Naturally the coach and I were upset at the players. They were playing way below their usual standards. They were always half a step behind the AES opponents.
We lacked fire and the motivation.
The second quarter proved to be a slight improvement. Fajar began to raise up a gear in their play. We scored a few more baskets. More crucially, we defended tighter and stopped leaking baskets.
But there was still not enough communication. We committed too many simple errors. We still failed to box them out effectively.
But our improvement told in the second quarter score: 8 - 10.
In the third quarter, we continued to play better. We were getting better in our defence. Our centres started to wake up and dominate their opponents with sweet moves. We were winning rebounds because we started to box out more effectively.
But AES wouldn't give up. They still wanted to win and they were very lethal in several fast breaks. The third quarter score was 10 - 10.
The last quarter was Fajar's best time of the game. We were playing better than AES. Our centres were more agile and began to be very sharp under the basket. Our forwards began to be more adventurous. Zi Ting and Billy began to push and push into the AES territory. We were getting stronger.
Alas. It was all too late. By the time we started to show our quality, we ran out of time. The final quarter score was 14 - 16.
So, the first quarter was the blow that killed us. We tried to make a comeback, but the gap was too big to overcome.
What can we learn from this game? Plenty.
1. It is obvious that AES is a good team, but so is Fajar. They have strong individual players, and so do we.
2. AES played with fierce passion from the 1st quarter. Fajar didn't. Everyone was still asleep. No one was talking and galvanising the players. There was no one to yell and motivate each other. We paid dearly for our lack of communication.
3. So many times we failed to box the AES players out, resulting in losing rebounds. If we had boxed them out EVERY TIME (it can be done), we would have easily won the game.
4. Our centres need to dominate their opponents. We have good centres and we must stand firm and not be easily pushed away or brushed aside.
There is every reason to be optimistic. We have lost the first game, but everyone knows that Fajar has the quality.
For Thursday's match against Nan Hua High, we must play our game, our way, our speed. We must be more adventurous. We must play very hard and be fearless.
Most importantly, we must encourage and warn each other throughout the match. We must keep talking.
The next match is winnable. Victory is in our hands.
We still have great faith in Fajar Basketball. 2008 will be the year that we reach the Second Round. This is the year we do it.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
update to training schedule for January 2008
B Division (school team):
16th Jan Wed 1600 – 1800
18th Jan Fri 1400 – 1600
21st Jan Mon WZ Match vs AES
23rd Jan Wed 1600 – 1800
24th Jan Thur WZ Match vs NHHS
25th Jan Fri No training
28th Jan Mon 1600 – 1800
29th Jan Tue WZ Match vs YIS
30th Jan Wed No training
1st Feb Fri 1400 – 1600
4th Feb Mon WZ Match vs CSS
Chinese New Year Break
B (non-school team) & C Division:
16th Jan Wed 1600 – 1700
21st Jan Mon No training due to WZ competition
23rd Jan Wed No training due to WZ competition
28th Jan Mon No training due to WZ competition
30th Jan Wed No training due to WZ competition
4th Feb Mon No training due to WZ competition
Chinese New Year Break
16th Jan Wed 1600 – 1800
18th Jan Fri 1400 – 1600
21st Jan Mon WZ Match vs AES
23rd Jan Wed 1600 – 1800
24th Jan Thur WZ Match vs NHHS
25th Jan Fri No training
28th Jan Mon 1600 – 1800
29th Jan Tue WZ Match vs YIS
30th Jan Wed No training
1st Feb Fri 1400 – 1600
4th Feb Mon WZ Match vs CSS
Chinese New Year Break
B (non-school team) & C Division:
16th Jan Wed 1600 – 1700
21st Jan Mon No training due to WZ competition
23rd Jan Wed No training due to WZ competition
28th Jan Mon No training due to WZ competition
30th Jan Wed No training due to WZ competition
4th Feb Mon No training due to WZ competition
Chinese New Year Break
Fajar B Boys 2008 vs Fajar Seniors
I expected a close fight.
My current crop of players, having trained for over two solid months, were playing in their final practice match, and it was fitting that their opponents would be their seniors - Zhi Cheng, Colvin, Yan Sin, Chong Yong, Lian Jie, Jun Chang and Eugene (from the batch of 2005).
It was good to see them all.
Some of them seemed a little rusty during the warm-up. After leaving Fajar, many of them have moved on to other pursuits and interests, and basketball was not one of them.
So I harboured expectations that my players would at least outlast and outrun them in stamina and tactics.
But the first quarter forced me to rethink.
The seniors warmed up faster than expected and somehow found their shooting prowess. They moved the ball effortlessly and they were clearly not as slow as I had thought.
My players struggled, despite repeated reminders from the coach to play harder and defend better.
The final score of 54 - 72 exposed some of my current team's weaknesses, which I will elaborate in a moment's time.
But I have to congratulate my senior boys. They played well and maybe they were a little tired at the end of the game. But they more than made up for that by their vastly superior experience and movement.
For my current B boys, you need to think about your play.
You have practiced your formations countless times. Why are you still not so effective?
Maybe you were a little nervous or overawed, playing against your seniors. Some of you have never seen them before, so maybe you thought that they might be very good, and so you couldn't play your best.
Against Zhi Cheng (strong all-rounded player), Eugene (tall), Colvin (speedy), Jun Chang (sharpshooter), Chong Yong (good communicator), Lian Jie (all - rounder), Yan Sin (skilful), you have been given a stern test.
You must always try to understand your opponents.
You cannot expect the coach to give you all the answers, to always spoonfeed you on how to play.
We can bark our instructions to the C boys. They are youthful and inexperienced.
But you are all at the B Boys level and have played in several tournaments already.
So where is that understanding and independent thought process from you all?
Why is it that, when you are down and out, there is nobody to lift up the team and whip you all up to play better?
The coach cannot do everything alone.
To improve (and you better, as tomorrow is our first competitive match), think about the following:
The no 1 complaint about Fajar team is that we hardly talk and encourage each other. This has happened too many times and it is always a big reason for our defeats.
A winning team with winning players always talks and encourages each other.
A no 2 complaint is that we fail to defend well. If we don't defend (box out, hands raised to discourage opponents, sticking to our zone defence roles), we will leak goals.
The box out is a very simple yet powerful way to deny the opponents baskets. So, we must do it for every game.
A third area to look at is that we seem to be on crutches when we play. We cannot seem to function unless the coach gives us instructions. Midway through a game, when we run out of ideas, we expect the coach to help us.
Why don't we try to solve the problems ourselves? Why don't we think faster and harder? Why don't we apply what we have learnt from all those countless hours of training and matches? Have we not learnt anything at all?
If you are substituted and you get to rest, don't stare blankly at the game. Be a thinking player! Look at the opponents and think of how to beat them. Look at how we play and think of another way to beat them. Then, when you return to the court, you must be able to make an impact.
We have a target set by the Principal and we will do our utmost to get there.
The target is not hard to achieve at all. We must tell ourselves that we can do it. Because if we want to, we can achieve that target of a top 4 finish.
The Principal has enough confidence in us to set us that target.
During match days, all 12 players are NOT to play any basketball during the mornings and recess. You will be excused from PE lessons as well.
All of you will be having early departure and will be taking the taxis to get to Clementi Sports Hall.
Make sure you find out from your teachers and classmates about what you have missed in the classroom.
You are still expected to do your homework and study for tests.
Do not ever use basketball as an excuse to miss deadlines for homework. This is most irresponsible and you must never do this kind of thing.
Most of all, on the way to Clementi, remember to play the game in your mind. Every match will start not on the court, but in each of your minds, while you are travelling there.
If you have more mental strength, more self-belief, and more fighting spirit, it is very hard for you to lose. It is also very hard for any team to defeat Fajar.
My current crop of players, having trained for over two solid months, were playing in their final practice match, and it was fitting that their opponents would be their seniors - Zhi Cheng, Colvin, Yan Sin, Chong Yong, Lian Jie, Jun Chang and Eugene (from the batch of 2005).
It was good to see them all.
Some of them seemed a little rusty during the warm-up. After leaving Fajar, many of them have moved on to other pursuits and interests, and basketball was not one of them.
So I harboured expectations that my players would at least outlast and outrun them in stamina and tactics.
But the first quarter forced me to rethink.
The seniors warmed up faster than expected and somehow found their shooting prowess. They moved the ball effortlessly and they were clearly not as slow as I had thought.
My players struggled, despite repeated reminders from the coach to play harder and defend better.
The final score of 54 - 72 exposed some of my current team's weaknesses, which I will elaborate in a moment's time.
But I have to congratulate my senior boys. They played well and maybe they were a little tired at the end of the game. But they more than made up for that by their vastly superior experience and movement.
For my current B boys, you need to think about your play.
You have practiced your formations countless times. Why are you still not so effective?
Maybe you were a little nervous or overawed, playing against your seniors. Some of you have never seen them before, so maybe you thought that they might be very good, and so you couldn't play your best.
Against Zhi Cheng (strong all-rounded player), Eugene (tall), Colvin (speedy), Jun Chang (sharpshooter), Chong Yong (good communicator), Lian Jie (all - rounder), Yan Sin (skilful), you have been given a stern test.
You must always try to understand your opponents.
You cannot expect the coach to give you all the answers, to always spoonfeed you on how to play.
We can bark our instructions to the C boys. They are youthful and inexperienced.
But you are all at the B Boys level and have played in several tournaments already.
So where is that understanding and independent thought process from you all?
Why is it that, when you are down and out, there is nobody to lift up the team and whip you all up to play better?
The coach cannot do everything alone.
To improve (and you better, as tomorrow is our first competitive match), think about the following:
The no 1 complaint about Fajar team is that we hardly talk and encourage each other. This has happened too many times and it is always a big reason for our defeats.
A winning team with winning players always talks and encourages each other.
A no 2 complaint is that we fail to defend well. If we don't defend (box out, hands raised to discourage opponents, sticking to our zone defence roles), we will leak goals.
The box out is a very simple yet powerful way to deny the opponents baskets. So, we must do it for every game.
A third area to look at is that we seem to be on crutches when we play. We cannot seem to function unless the coach gives us instructions. Midway through a game, when we run out of ideas, we expect the coach to help us.
Why don't we try to solve the problems ourselves? Why don't we think faster and harder? Why don't we apply what we have learnt from all those countless hours of training and matches? Have we not learnt anything at all?
If you are substituted and you get to rest, don't stare blankly at the game. Be a thinking player! Look at the opponents and think of how to beat them. Look at how we play and think of another way to beat them. Then, when you return to the court, you must be able to make an impact.
We have a target set by the Principal and we will do our utmost to get there.
The target is not hard to achieve at all. We must tell ourselves that we can do it. Because if we want to, we can achieve that target of a top 4 finish.
The Principal has enough confidence in us to set us that target.
During match days, all 12 players are NOT to play any basketball during the mornings and recess. You will be excused from PE lessons as well.
All of you will be having early departure and will be taking the taxis to get to Clementi Sports Hall.
Make sure you find out from your teachers and classmates about what you have missed in the classroom.
You are still expected to do your homework and study for tests.
Do not ever use basketball as an excuse to miss deadlines for homework. This is most irresponsible and you must never do this kind of thing.
Most of all, on the way to Clementi, remember to play the game in your mind. Every match will start not on the court, but in each of your minds, while you are travelling there.
If you have more mental strength, more self-belief, and more fighting spirit, it is very hard for you to lose. It is also very hard for any team to defeat Fajar.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sec One Orientation & the Draw for 2008 B Boys WZ Tournament
Here's a word of thanks to Andy, Hwee Teck, Colvin, Jia Wei, Xiao Kai, Ben, Bryan, Wenxing for helping to set up the basketball booth on Friday's CCA Parents' Night.
I am sure you all had a good time.
I also went to attend the Teachers' meeting for the WZ Basketball Tournament. It was a very nervous moment for most teachers. Nobody wanted to meet the powerhouses (Jurong, Jurong West, Unity, BPGH) so early in the competition.
Thank God that our draw was kind. Our opponents in the First Round of the competition are:
Nan Hua High School (the seeded team)
Assumption English School
Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Commonwealth Secondary School
These teams are not far from Fajar's standard.
In other words, we can win these matches, provided we start attacking from the 1st quarter with lightning fast breaks. We will need to defend with our lives.
This is the year we will make the breakthrough and reach the 2nd Round for the first time in a long long while.
This batch of players have the capability to do just that.
Fajar B Boys team - let us be history-makers!
I am sure you all had a good time.
I also went to attend the Teachers' meeting for the WZ Basketball Tournament. It was a very nervous moment for most teachers. Nobody wanted to meet the powerhouses (Jurong, Jurong West, Unity, BPGH) so early in the competition.
Thank God that our draw was kind. Our opponents in the First Round of the competition are:
Nan Hua High School (the seeded team)
Assumption English School
Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Commonwealth Secondary School
These teams are not far from Fajar's standard.
In other words, we can win these matches, provided we start attacking from the 1st quarter with lightning fast breaks. We will need to defend with our lives.
This is the year we will make the breakthrough and reach the 2nd Round for the first time in a long long while.
This batch of players have the capability to do just that.
Fajar B Boys team - let us be history-makers!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
B Div friendly: Fajar vs Chua Chu Kang
It was a game that showcased Fajar's strengths and weaknesses.
CCK has some tall and skilful players. They are strong too. In the first two quarters, they played well, and showed sharp passing and clinical finishing.
In contrast, Fajar was hesitant and lacked the courage to punch through their defence.
In the final 2 quarters, CCK's stamina and strength began to wane. It became easier for us to outrun them. We managed to clinch the game through a series of lethal fast breaks. The CCK players were simple too tired to catch up with us.
Fajar players, please take note of our observations:
1. The Coach gives very simple instructions to you all before every game. Do you listen and execute his strategy? If you do, you should be winning many matches.
2. Fajar is most frightening when we play fast breaks. For that to happen, our outlet - centre movement must be done perfectly. At the same time, the Fajar players must be sprinting away, ready to receive the killer pass and score the basket. So please understand this: Fajar is most deadly when we play the fast break game.
3. Against CCK today, an ugly side of Fajar showed again: we keep dribbling the ball aimlessly, while the other 4 players shuffle and move around. You pose no threat. The opponents did not fear you. You did not show any killer instinct to win the ball and to score the basket.
4. Our box-out (a very basic and very important skill) is very inconsistent. Only Xinyu showed consistent box-out. He applies what he practises during training into matches like this. If we don't box out effectively, we will be in deep trouble.
5. So, to sum up, Fajar has the potential to be a top 6 or top 4 school in the West Zone. The coach's instructions are very effective and his training is vigourous and challenging. To win matches, we need a very strong and sound defence.
6. The only way for us to win is to communicate, defend stoutly, and 'kill' the game with unstoppable fast breaks. Nothing is more demoralising than to have Ziting, Hao Ming, Ben etc etc speeding away and scoring baskets.
So even though we 'won' today's game, the result is not the most important, as always the case for all friendly matches.
In fact, friendly matches are completely useless, unless Fajar players reflect and review their performance, and see their mistakes and strengths when they play in the 4 quarters of the game.
A team that reflects regularly and communicates consistently is going to be very hard to beat, because we become thinking players.
CCK has some tall and skilful players. They are strong too. In the first two quarters, they played well, and showed sharp passing and clinical finishing.
In contrast, Fajar was hesitant and lacked the courage to punch through their defence.
In the final 2 quarters, CCK's stamina and strength began to wane. It became easier for us to outrun them. We managed to clinch the game through a series of lethal fast breaks. The CCK players were simple too tired to catch up with us.
Fajar players, please take note of our observations:
1. The Coach gives very simple instructions to you all before every game. Do you listen and execute his strategy? If you do, you should be winning many matches.
2. Fajar is most frightening when we play fast breaks. For that to happen, our outlet - centre movement must be done perfectly. At the same time, the Fajar players must be sprinting away, ready to receive the killer pass and score the basket. So please understand this: Fajar is most deadly when we play the fast break game.
3. Against CCK today, an ugly side of Fajar showed again: we keep dribbling the ball aimlessly, while the other 4 players shuffle and move around. You pose no threat. The opponents did not fear you. You did not show any killer instinct to win the ball and to score the basket.
4. Our box-out (a very basic and very important skill) is very inconsistent. Only Xinyu showed consistent box-out. He applies what he practises during training into matches like this. If we don't box out effectively, we will be in deep trouble.
5. So, to sum up, Fajar has the potential to be a top 6 or top 4 school in the West Zone. The coach's instructions are very effective and his training is vigourous and challenging. To win matches, we need a very strong and sound defence.
6. The only way for us to win is to communicate, defend stoutly, and 'kill' the game with unstoppable fast breaks. Nothing is more demoralising than to have Ziting, Hao Ming, Ben etc etc speeding away and scoring baskets.
So even though we 'won' today's game, the result is not the most important, as always the case for all friendly matches.
In fact, friendly matches are completely useless, unless Fajar players reflect and review their performance, and see their mistakes and strengths when they play in the 4 quarters of the game.
A team that reflects regularly and communicates consistently is going to be very hard to beat, because we become thinking players.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Giving thanks for Sec 1 Sports Experience
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Zhi Cheng, Hao Ming, Andy and Colvin for their outstanding contribution in the Sec 1 Sports Experience.
I felt that they did a competent job in managing the boys. They conducted the skill tests well and were able to handle the boys.
I believe that we managed to achieve our objective, and that was to identify good basketball players to join our CCA.
Basketball CCA is one of the most professional CCAs in Fajar. It is well-run and we have a core group of players.
Of course we have a dedicated coach. Even the teacher is willing to sacrifice his June and December holidays so that we can have uninterrupted training.
I look forward to having the new Sec 1s join our CCA. With teamwork and hard work, we can bring Fajar Basketball to greater heights.
I felt that they did a competent job in managing the boys. They conducted the skill tests well and were able to handle the boys.
I believe that we managed to achieve our objective, and that was to identify good basketball players to join our CCA.
Basketball CCA is one of the most professional CCAs in Fajar. It is well-run and we have a core group of players.
Of course we have a dedicated coach. Even the teacher is willing to sacrifice his June and December holidays so that we can have uninterrupted training.
I look forward to having the new Sec 1s join our CCA. With teamwork and hard work, we can bring Fajar Basketball to greater heights.
Friendly match on 11th Jan Friday
B Boys, take note.
We have a training match on Friday afternoon.
We must be ready to put in an improved performance.
Therefore, let's train hard and make sure we put in effort to improve in our skills and team work.
The competition is coming really soon, so every friendly match will sharpen our skills and allow us to gain valuable experience.
Have a good rest over the weekend.
Your body and mind must be ready for basketball training on Monday!
We have a training match on Friday afternoon.
We must be ready to put in an improved performance.
Therefore, let's train hard and make sure we put in effort to improve in our skills and team work.
The competition is coming really soon, so every friendly match will sharpen our skills and allow us to gain valuable experience.
Have a good rest over the weekend.
Your body and mind must be ready for basketball training on Monday!
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