By Kayden Tan (27S03C) and Mary Tu (27S06O)

All photos taken by Chim Yoke Hei (27A01D) and Chloe Tay Yu Hsin (27A01D) from Raffles Art and Photographic Society

Semi-finals

After a statement victory against Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in the semi-finals that graced the team’s 2025 NSG campaign, the basketball boys pursued a return to the final as they stepped onto the intensely illuminated court. Coming up on the other end of the laminated floor, with similarly lofty ambitions, was Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), and it was immediately apparent to the mass of spectators that we were up for a thrilling contest.

Amidst the players’ brilliant show of their basketballing prowess with audacious three-pointers and mazy dribbles in what constituted an eye-catching warm-up, the Raffles support in the stands also did their utmost to energise the team. Clappers and face paint were handed out to the willing, and the councillors made sure to create an atmosphere rooted in intense, ardent spirit as they prepared their hefty sequence of cheers.

As the game kicked off with the fiery cheer “Take Them On”, the players found themselves in sync with its demands. Within mere seconds, they snatched the first point of the game with a free throw by #11, Dayler Ng (27S06L).

Player #11,Dayler Ng (27S06L),  fends off an opponent

It was far from the last free throw RI would be awarded. 

What was initially scheduled to be a one-hour match ended up unfolding over twice that time, and no small part of this was due to the seemingly relentless fouls committed throughout the game. Needless to say, each team was determined to bring a favourable result home, and it was strikingly evident as they contested ferociously for every loose ball.

Some highlights included impressive defending by the captain, Huang Junxiang (26S06O), as he intercepted the ball mid-pass between two opposing players with a tantalising catch. 

Gasps erupted from the crowd at the demonstration of his lightning-quick reflexes, followed by rampant cheers as Raffles rapidly countered to slot the ball neatly into the opposing team’s basket. 

Player #82’s bright orange shoes are hard to miss on the court

Spirits were sky-high among RI supporters, as the team led the scoreboard for the first two quarters. Yet, in the world of sports, tides can turn in a matter of minutes, and in this case, baskets. By the time the final quarter drew to an end, HCI had narrowed that gap to just a single point, which they eventually closed with a free throw in the last minute of the game. 

With the players having dominated much of the earlier proceedings, the Raffles supporters still held firm in their belief of the team’s ability, and the cheers rang louder than ever. Hwa Chong managed to score first in added time, before Raffles got back a point with a free throw to send the supporters into a further frenzy.

However, after what was an undeniably nail-biting back and forth contest, HCI ultimately managed to prevail with a score of 69-59, and with the final whistle, Raffles were confirmed to take part in the 3rd/4th placement game three days later.

3rd/4th placement game

Three days after their hard-fought semi-final defeat, the basketball boys returned to the court for the 3rd/4th placing match against National Junior College (NJC), determined to end their National School Games campaign on a high note. 

The game began at a frenetic pace, with both teams exchanging baskets and neither able to establish a significant lead. 

RI found early success from beyond the arc, while strong defensive efforts from the players kept NJC’s offense at bay. Every run was quickly answered, and after an intense opening quarter where neither team was truly able to gain an upper hand, the scores were level at 19-19.

This deadlock continued into the second quarter. Despite several determined offensive possessions from RI, along with swift counterattacking goals, NJC remained within touching distance through crucial free throws and a timely three-pointer towards the end of the quarter. 

By halftime, the scoreboard still could not separate the two sides. Despite their vigilant efforts, both teams were locked squarely at 32-32, a testament to the tense nature of the match.

The third quarter, however, proved decisive. NJC emerged from the break strongly, but RI responded through a series of hard-fought baskets and a three-pointer—from #1, Nideesh Raaghav Maheshwaran (27S03D)—that brought the supporters to their feet. 

The game remained closely contested throughout the period, but NJC’s ability to convert key opportunities, particularly from beyond the arc, allowed them to edge ahead. Despite scoring just before the break, Raffles entered the final quarter trailing by just three points at 55-52.

Still, with everything to play for, the boys continued to battle relentlessly in the final quarter. However, despite several promising opportunities, they struggled to find their shooting rhythm as NJC gradually extended their lead through a series of crucial baskets and three-pointers.

A late Raffles three-pointer offered a brief spark of hope, but NJC ultimately scored the final basket of the match, securing a 71-61 victory.

Looking back

The team had high hopes going into the season. Having reached the finals last year, and with a strong lineup this year, they believed they had a genuine chance to finally bring the coveted trophy home. 

As they reflected on the results a week after their last game, their captain, Junxiang, candidly admitted that their expectations of themselves played a part in determining the final outcome. 

“I think us being too reassured actually came back to bite us, and it gave us a shock when we met our first loss so early in the quarterfinals,” he said. His good friend and fellow teammate, Koh Wei Yi Joel (26S03L), reaffirmed this sentiment, adding that the first few games of the season had been comparatively “easy” and hadn’t pushed them to their limits as much as they would have liked. 

It isn’t hard to imagine the bitterness and frustration at having the win slip through their fingers in the last five minutes. And yet, the 15-man team kept their spirits up by supporting each other through thick and thin. 

When asked for his thoughts on the results of the season, one of the first things mentioned was the irrefutable bond between the players. More than just the teamwork that they demonstrated during gameplay, this bond was what kept the team together in trying times with emotions running high.

For Junxiang, who had his fair share of self-doubt about his own performance, Joel was the one who kept him afloat. Having someone be there for him after each game and acknowledge his feelings was what kept him going, even as events took an increasingly unfavourable turn.

Far from being exclusive to Junxiang and Joel, this “unique” bond extended to every single member of the team.

Despite the fact that some of the players only got to know each other this year, they resonated with each other and turned the team into a home. From nine hours of CCA a week to regular team outings and dinners, the players have forged friendships tempered by their experiences. 

The team during a quick cheer before resuming play

Looking forward

In spite of the morale-dampening losses from this season, the team truly shone in their exemplary behaviour of sportsmanship and losing with grace. They accepted that they had been bested by the opposing teams with humility, and looked inward for ways to improve instead of arbitrarily casting blame. 

On paper, this seems expected, but when one carries the fervent emotions of a whole season gone wrong, the difficulty of doing what’s right cannot be understated. Perhaps what helped was the fact that all the players see the sport for more than its accolades and individual achievement. 

To the players, basketball is more than just a sport or a CCA. To some, like Junxiang, it is an opportunity to meet new people and learn new things, as well as a window into new perspectives. To others, like Joel, it is a lifestyle, a constant in his life that stays reliably unchanging even when everything else drifts with the flow of time. 

Interestingly, the two players had told us when we first asked what the sport meant to them, that we should expect very different answers from each of them. And yet, their answers were so intrinsically similar that it’s hard to see why they would have thought so. Both emphasised the connections made and things learned, with neither citing the glory of winning as a major reason for playing the game.

That same attitude can be seen in their regrets from the season. Both players shared that their one regret from the season was being unable to enjoy the moment for what it was. In Junxiang’s words, he “kept telling [himself] to have no regrets”. Ironically, it was this intense focus that kept him from immersing himself fully in what he enjoyed. 

With these reflections close to their hearts, the two offered some advice for their juniors and anyone reading this article. 

From Joel: “Always stay hungry,“ and don’t let expectations dictate your journey. They can be genuine fuel for motivation, but they would also consume you if you’re not careful. 

From Junxiang: “control the controllables” and accept what is beyond your realm of decision. Never let external factors affect your mindset and determination. 

But, ultimately, basketball is a team sport, and this team stretches further than you would imagine. From the fifteen players themselves, to the coaches and teachers who had worked tirelessly with them to ensure smooth preparations for the games, every single person involved has played their part to make this NSG season memorable. 

The players would like to extend their gratitude to all those who have made this season possible, as well as to make a promise to those who have believed in them from the very beginning. 

Until then, they will hone their skills to put up an even better fight in the years to come. Let us continue to cheer them on, whether it be in person or in spirit, as they continue their journey for the gold trophy. 

Dream. Team. Fight. Win.

Players: 

#4 Muhammed Raziq Coules (26S06A)

#5 Muhammed Fawwaz Bin Mafrudy (26S06L)

#8 Josiah Lo Kuo-Jiun (26S06J)

#3 Koh Wei Yi Joel (26S03L)

#82 Huang Junxiang (26S06O) (Captain)

#23 Li Xuanheng (26S06A)

#31 Kong Fan Hao (26S05A)

#33 Zhu Ming Bo Kevin (26S06E)

#22 S Adityah (26S06K)

#34 Yu Kaiwen (27S03P)

#1 Nideesh Raaghav Maheshwaran (27S03D)

#24 Tan Zi Yang (27S06D)

#7 Chong Jia Hao (27S06R)

#11 Dayler Ng (27S06L)

#14 Tan Jun Hao (27S06O)