About grit and overcoming the odds

It's a perennial problem: Fajar basketball players usually lack height.

Against a very charged-up Fuhua, the difference in height between our players stood out again. We cannot hope to dominate rebounds and high balls if we think we can outjump them.

We can't.



Today's game was very simple: Fajar had to win, in order to secure the second-place in our group and qualify for the top-12 round.

Fuhua had a slim chance too. If they defeated us by a large margin, the goal difference would allow them to leapfrog over us in the table and get that coveted spot in the next round.



In a fascinating contest, where there was end-to-end action, pulsating moves and frustrating misses, our boys came out tops and achieved a well-deserved victory against a resilient Fuhua who dominated us in height and rebounds but not in team tactics.



I have every reason to be proud of my C division players. They have trained very hard during May and June. They have improved much and have done very well to put themselves into the Second Round of the West Zone competition.



In the Second Round, powerful schools lay waiting. Every match will be like a cup final. Our team will need their self-belief and team spirit to overcome our group opponents.



Though we do not know who our group opponents are, one thing is for sure: we will be ready for them. We will do our school proud!