SJI basketballers: From newbies to champs in 4 years

Just four years after their basketball programme tipped off, St Joseph's Institution (SJI) were crowned C Division Boys' League 1 champions on Aug 26, after beating Presbyterian High School (PHS) 57-47 in the final at the Jurong East Sports Hall.

- David Lee

While unexpected, the progress was a fillip for SJI, who competed in the second tier of the National School Games' in 2024 and were promoted after finishing second.

SJI captain Jude Ng said: "We didn't expect this at the start of the season, but we have surpassed all expectations to become No. 1."

"We are extremely happy to be able to be part of this history-making experience. We managed to work as a team and execute what our coach told us to do, and it worked out."

SJI coach Koh Meng Koon thanked the players' parents for their support and credited the school for helping to prepare the younger players through external youth tournaments.

He added: "Today's win was down to our strong defence, which we have been working on. We also had good teamwork and confidence, which led to the players making eight three-point shots."

Despite having eight Secondary 1 and seven Secondary 2 boys on their 15-player roster, SJI stamped their mark from the tip-off.