T he Grade A boys' basketball team from HKTA Ching Chung Secondary School are set to start another amazing year. In the last school year, the Third Division team captured the Grade A title for the first time, proving they are in the leading pack of Hong Kong's school teams.
They entered the quarter-finals of the Jing Ying Tournament against higher division teams from other districts last December, and lost to eventual champions Ying Wa College. They also reached the final 16 at the Inter-school Basketball Marathon in July, again losing to eventual runners-up Ying Wa.
Ching Chung's players are hoping for another successful year. But first they need to win the Grade A boys' final of the Inter-school Basketball Competition (Division Three, Kowloon Area 3) at 6pm tomorrow to qualify for the Jing Ying Tournament.
The school has bought 170 tickets for students, who are excited to watch their teammates battle against Delia Memorial School (Yuet Wah) at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai. The campus television station has also produced a short video clip about the team to promote the game.
Captain Victor Wong Tsz-him, a Form Six student, says the team is in the final preparation stages for the important game. 'We've intensified our training and played some friendly matches in the past few days. We're ready, and confident we can defend our title,' he says.
Star player Enoch Soo Yan-lok, a Form Seven student who has represented Hong Kong in overseas youth tournaments, says many teams have improved their defence this year.
He adds: 'We'll have to be careful in the final, as we have never faced DMS [Yuet Wah] before. They beat Kwun Tong Maryknoll College in the semi-finals by one point. Our [coaches] have watched and analysed our rivals for us.'