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.