{"id":3913,"date":"2010-03-09T19:04:05","date_gmt":"2010-03-10T00:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/?p=3913"},"modified":"2010-03-11T02:52:13","modified_gmt":"2010-03-11T07:52:13","slug":"the-sporting-life-at-wyk-a-basketball-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/?p=3913","title":{"rendered":"The Sporting Life at WYK \tA Basketball Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a true account from the best of my recollection \u2013 Tim\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At WYK, basketball was not a widely participated sport.\u00a0 Nevertheless, there<\/a> were 2 courts, flanked by the 2 tennis courts further down and a few steps up from the Sandy Football Field.\u00a0 Students who wished to play could do so during PT Class, Football Class, before or after class, and weekends.\u00a0 In some years, we had a School Basketball Team.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was February, 1969.\u00a0 I was in Form 7, my final year and the last few months of secondary school.\u00a0 Prior to that year, there were a lot of changes with school mates and friends.\u00a0 From F5 to F6, five classes were reduced to three and from F6 to F7, the number of students was further reduced, to about half again.\u00a0 Some students went to other schools, a few started to work, and many left for universities abroad.\u00a0 A lot of friends were not around.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I was accepted by several colleges and universities in the US and Canada, but was also pondering to start a business in Hong Kong.\u00a0 My father was a good businessman and was supportive.\u00a0 With the decision looming and the uncertainties of youths about the future, there were considerable anxieties.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

John Fenn<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Benjamin Fenn<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Louis Yu<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>

Cheung Hok Kai<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>

Kwan Wing Tim<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Then came the interclass basketball games at WYK.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The senior boys competition were the classes F4 to F7, about 20 classes in total.\u00a0 It would be a single elimination round.\u00a0 To advance, you needed to win each game.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each class in F4 to F5 had about 35 students.\u00a0 Our class of F7 Biology had only 24 students, with most of us aiming to get degrees in medicine, dentistry or science.\u00a0 Many considered the class a group of bookworms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our regular basketball player was Yiu Yan Ming, who played mostly football as a goalkeeper as you could hardly get football going, let alone basketball, in PT class.\u00a0 So some effort was required to put together a basketball team.\u00a0 6 people showed interest, Yiu, Yu Wai Ki, Cheung Hok Kai, the brothers John and Ben Fenn, and me.\u00a0 We might have taken some shots at the basket during PT class in the week before the first round \u2013 that was all the preparation made.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yiu was 5′ 10\u201d tall and a natural center, Yu was small, played some basketball and had an occasional long shot with two hands, 16-footer being a long one in those days with our capabilities.\u00a0 Cheung and I were reasonably co-ordinated in hands and feet, and the Fenn brothers were expected to guard their opponents.\u00a0 Zone defense was de rigueur in those days.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We gathered after school for the first game.\u00a0 It was the first time we played together.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each half was about 12 minutes, and the winning team might score 16 to 26 points.\u00a0 Needless to say, there was no coach and few timeouts were called.\u00a0 Yiu was the only one who knew how to use it, and the referee would sometimes call a timeout to help a team to re-organize.\u00a0 Yiu did most of the scoring, from close range, with the rest of us sniping for a point or two, not without luck.\u00a0 It was a close game and we won, advancing to the next round.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the second round, we were gaining some experience.\u00a0 Yu and I shared the task of bringing the ball up court, trying to pass to Yiu for layups or short attempts.\u00a0 We would shoot from the outside if left opened, with moderate success.\u00a0 On defense, everyone held their positions around the key.\u00a0 Yiu would get the short rebounds.\u00a0 The longer rebounds would be contested by the rest of us against the opposing players.\u00a0 Yiu scored about 15 points and we got through to the third round.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The opponents were stronger in the semi-final round.\u00a0 But we were gelling together, playing more and more like a team.\u00a0 As the game progressed, I started to bring the ball up court in all occasions, leaving Yu, when he was playing, possible to get open for his long shot.\u00a0 We were behind in part of the game, but won in a tight contest \u2013 to the final.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"<\/a>The final took place after school in late February or early March, 1969, against Form 5B.\u00a0 The Form master was Fr. P.J. Finneran whom I knew very well with tennis and other sports (for more on him, please see Annals of Excellence \u2013 WYK Tennis, and A Big Tennis Match).\u00a0 We had noticed Team 5B during our previous round, as they were playing simultaneously on the adjacent court.\u00a0 They were impressive with two tall centers\/forwards, Cho and Ng if memory serves correctly, whom we called the Twin Towers (TT).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The TT controlled the inside, especially their own end.\u00a0 Yiu could handle either one of them one-on-one, but it would be difficult to get rebounds or score against the two of them down low, which is where the game would be decided.\u00a0 We discussed this, and there was no solution \u2013 we just had to play better, first individually, and more importantly, as a team.\u00a0 We might make more passes on the outside and looked for chances from the perimeter while always keeping an eye on Yiu, who had to maintain his high score if we wanted to win.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 During warm up, Fr. Finneran saw me and came over.<\/p>\n

F:\u00a0 William, you play basketball?<\/p>\n

T:\u00a0\u00a0 Hmm… yes, sometimes.<\/p>\n

F:\u00a0\u00a0 We have good players…..hmm<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Perhaps from knowing me, and my desire to do well, he did not comment any more, and wished me luck.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The referee blew the whistle and we were all playing hard.\u00a0 Yiu was fighting the TT underneath both baskets.\u00a0 I brought the ball up and played forward as well, joining the fray, crashing in to get rebounds, or at least to take out one of the TT so Yiu had a chance.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was intense.\u00a0 The TT were bigger in size and better in skills.\u00a0 I would lean and jump to make body contact, to upset their balance and control.\u00a0 Although basketball is a non-contact sport, there are some bodily encounters which are allowed, and I made work on it with experience from football, pushing the limits without getting penalized.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yiu was fearless, fighting for every position, pass, shot and rebound.\u00a0 Together, we just elevated our level of play.\u00a0 About five minutes into the game, we felt we could at least contain the TT \u2013 their dominance was not established.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With the scrambling inside, Yu would run and tried to get open.\u00a0 Then, if he got the ball, he would try his long shot.\u00a0 He got one just then, and threw off our opponents completely.\u00a0 Now they have to worry about the outside, which heretofore was not in their game.\u00a0 One or both of the TT had to come out to defend against Yu, Cheung, Feng or me, leaving Yiu with one-on-one opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The game rolled on with this rhythm, fiercely contested.\u00a0 We got to the half leading by 3 points.\u00a0 It was only at that juncture that I noticed there were a lot of spectators, large for a basketball game at WYK.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We drank some water at the intermission, and talked a little.\u00a0 We were in good spirit, no doubt making the bookish Yu and Feng brothers getting as competitive and determined as the rest of us.\u00a0 For my part, having played for WYK in other sports, I knew that our opponents had never experienced being behind before, and we had the edge.\u00a0 Yiu also came to the same idea and encouraged us.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The second half began with the same intensity, but no change in tactics from our opponents.\u00a0 They were playing very hard, but could not control the inside as Cheung or I would crash in for offensive rebounds, assisting Yiu.\u00a0 In the perimeter, we would pass the ball around, looking for an open shot.\u00a0 Bringing the ball up, I do not recall giving a turnover.\u00a0 On the contrary, Yu and I stole the ball for turnovers.\u00a0 At those instants, Yiu would burst up court, and we would try to make a long pass to him for a fast break and layup.\u00a0 Yiu got at least 2 baskets in this manner.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then it happened.\u00a0 On a defensive rebound, I gained position, took the ball.\u00a0 While all my teammates were running up court, one of the TT was trying desperately to dispossess me, or at least prevent me from turning to pass or bring the ball up.\u00a0 I was crunching with my back to him to protect the ball, and turned to my right.\u00a0 He wanted to block me and at that moment, step on my left foot with all his weight.\u00a0 I felt the ligament tearing, but somehow, probably with determination, made the turn and passed the ball.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 From years of playing football and other sports, I knew my left ankle was seriously injured.\u00a0 There was a searing white pain.\u00a0 But with high adrenaline running, I went up court, and showed nothing.\u00a0 We had one substitute but nothing could stop me from playing.\u00a0 Later, the ankle would be swollen from the soft tissues torn.\u00a0 The \u201cTeak Da\u201d doctors would treat it for a few months.\u00a0 Scar tissues formed inside.\u00a0 To this day, I have a much larger and slightly dislocated left ankle, and cause pain periodically, especially when I play sports.\u00a0 Nonetheless, it is not a problem as I refuse to consider it as one.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The tempo continued and we went to the last 2 minutes, announced by the referee.\u00a0 We were ahead 4 points when I brought the ball up.\u00a0 I was passing from the perimeter the entire game, so our opponents were anticipating it.\u00a0 I saw that Yiu was guarded by the TT together in the post position, and each of my three other teammates was marked tightly by an opponent.\u00a0 Looking for someone to pass to, at about 18′ out on centre right, I stopped momentarily while bouncing the ball.\u00a0 Everyone was tightly defended.\u00a0 Then I realized that I was open \u2013 I had a path of about 7 feet in front of me.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Without hesitation, I took two quick steps and jumped with the ball as high as I could to avoid blocking from the TT.\u00a0 The jump shot, from about 12 feet, was all net.\u00a0 We were 6 points ahead.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike other basketball games, we seldom called timeouts and this was no exception.\u00a0 The remaining 90 or so seconds went with a blur.\u00a0 There was a little panic on their part but we held easily.\u00a0 The game was over.\u00a0 Fr, Finneran came over to congratulate us \u2013 I thought I saw admiration in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There was happiness with our group.\u00a0 As in previous games, Yiu scored double digits.\u00a0 We changed and walked together down the sloped driveway.\u00a0 At the gate, we parted with a content goodbye.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I was the only student going home east on Waterloo Road.\u00a0 Crossing Ho Man Tin Street in the setting sun, the anxieties in the last weeks were gone \u2013 for we had soared.<\/p>\n

Postscript:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Yiu Yan Ming<\/p><\/div>\n

This writing is dedicated to Yiu Yan Ming, who died a few months after the game in an accident.\u00a0 In the short time he was with us, particularly in that late afternoon, he had shown leadership and inspired greatness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a true account from the best of my recollection \u2013 Tim \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At WYK, basketball was not a widely participated sport.\u00a0 Nevertheless, there were 2 courts, flanked by the 2 tennis courts further down and a few steps … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[115],"class_list":["post-3913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","tag-tim"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3913"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3944,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3913\/revisions\/3944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wykontario.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}