By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Ask any current or former athlete, and perhaps no label would be embraced more than being called “clutch.” Blair senior guard Jack Dakan has been called that by friend and foe (opponents) alike. His latest starring role? In Friday’s second round of the CIF-SS Division 4-AA playoffs, Flintridge Prep had […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Ask any current or former athlete, and perhaps no label would be embraced more than being called “clutch.”
Blair senior guard Jack Dakan has been called that by friend and foe (opponents) alike.
His latest starring role?
In Friday’s second round of the CIF-SS Division 4-AA playoffs, Flintridge Prep had held the Vikings star senior scoreless into the fourth quarter.
Blair and Prep traded leads but no one got much further than a 3-point lead through the first three quarters.
But when they needed it most, Dakan, as he’s done all season, delivered.
The 5-foot-6, 130-pound guard scored just 6 points and they came off of two 3-point baskets.
That doesn’t sound special, does it?
Well, Dakan’s two 3-pointers put them up by 8 and 9 points, respectively, after making the two buckets, and the Rebels were never able to recover.
The shots came at the 5-minute mark and then 90 seconds later, his second 3-pointer is something that’s been described as ‘the dagger.’
“Jack is the most clutch player I have ever seen,” Blair coach Alon Margalit said. “In league alone, I think he’s had 4 or 5 ‘daggers’ that put games away.”
Blair is currently on a 5-game winning streak, and they’ll host Jurupa Valley (17-10) on Tuesday night at 7.
A spot in the CIF semifinals is at stake.
Dez Washington has had 25 and 22, respectively, in postseason wins over Ontario and Flintridge Prep.
Gabe Snow’s 13 points and Caleb Smith’s 12 also were vital in the Vikings win, and a key reason they’re still playing.
But despite being Blair’s No. 2 scorer, and a senior, Dakan has had to accept his role, which is being a spark off the bench.
While all quality athletes want to start, star seniors certainly want that even more.
But Dakan’s unselfishness has helped him learn to embrace his role, and he’s averaging 13 points per game.
“Jack Dakan is a fiery, competitive senior leader,” Margalit said. “He was our MVP this season. He is a lethal three-point shooter, averaging over four 3-pointers a game. He is also a great leader and selfless. He has come off the bench, despite being our second leading scorer, with no qualms. He is also a respectful, responsible, exemplary young man with a 3.5 grade-point average.”
Dakan describes his spot on the Vikings simply.
“On this team, I am one of the leaders and someone that can spark (the team) coming off the bench, and willing to take charges,” he said.
Dakan’s parents have been solid role models in his life, and his father, Michael, is also his English teacher.
“My family, as a whole, has inspired me to pursue my athletic dreams and to be a good student,” he said. “My mother, Shelley Dakan, has always supported me in what I love, through the ups and downs. My father, Michael Dakan, supports me as well. He is also my English teacher, and he makes sure I am on track and focused on my academics.”
Dakan has admired retired former Laker Kobe Bryant since he was a little boy.
“I have been a Lakers fan ever since I was little, and I always enjoyed watching Kobe. He had so much love and fire for the game, along with confidence,” Dakan said. “It didn’t matter if he missed several shots, he let it go and focused on the next one. That has taught me to be more consistent with my shooting, that I have to let misses go and have confidence in myself that I can make the next (shot). Kobe was a great player and one to watch, but I have also enjoyed Nate Robinson, who has taught (me) that size doesn’t matter, as long and you work hard, and put your heart to anything, you can achieve anything. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
While Blair is heading into Tuesday’s quarterfinal on a 5-game winning streak, Dakan took the time to handicap his team’s chances.
“We are now in the quarterfinals, and have worked day and night to get to where we are today,” Dakan said. “This team is capable of becoming a great team when we play as one solid unit. What makes us so dangerous is that every player on this team has a role. We can all score and play defense. No team can focus on just one or two players, because then the others behind step up.”
As we do in all interviews, we asked Dakan who he’d most want to have a conversation with (alive or dead), and he chose who most consider the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan.
But as the son of a teacher, he puts more emphasis on being a good teammate, being a good student-athlete and he’s most looking forward to continuing his education and hopefully his basketball career at the collegiate level.
“I have never really had a dream school, but I’ve always wanted to go to college to either continue basketball or begin my studies and begin the next chapter in my life.”
Those who know Dakan, including his teammates, hope the Blair senior doesn’t have to think about the next level for a while, as they hope to close in on a CIF-SS Division 4-AA title next week.
Rio Hondo League Standings:
La Canada (25-4 overall, 10-0 in league)
Blair (22-6, 7-3)
San Marino (15-13, 5-5)
Monrovia (13-13, 4-6)
Temple City (10-15, 2-8)
South Pasadena (8-17, 2-8)
Blair’s 2016-17 Schedule:
11/28: Blair 60, Alhambra 55
11/30: La Serna 66, Blair 61
12/2: Blair 72, Wilson 64
12/3: Blair 77, Artesia 46
12/14: Blair 80, Pomona 39
12/16: Blair 80, Marshall 60
12/20: Blair 95, Montebello 43
12/26: Blair 103, Jefferson 38
12/27: Blair 72, Gladstone 18
12/28: Blair 68, San Gabriel 60
12/29: Glendale 87, Blair 68
1/3: Blair 90, Royal 42
1/4: Blair 83, Hawkins 54
1/6: Blair 91, Monroe 60
1/7: Rolling Hills Prep 68, Blair 60
1/11: La Canada 61, Blair 53
1/13: Blair 60, San Marino 55
1/18: Blair 68, Monrovia 61
1/20: Blair 73, South Pasadena 52
1/25: Blair 57, Temple City 46
1/27: South Pasadena 64, Blair 62
1/28: Blair 79, Bellflower 66
2/1: La Canada 60, Blair 47
2/3: Blair 71, San Marino 55
2/7: Blair 66, Monrovia 61
2/9: Blair 90, Temple City 74
2/15: Blair 81, Ontario 55
2/17: Blair 62, Flintridge Prep 53
2/21: Jurupa Valley (17-10) at Blair at 7 (CIF-SS Division 4-AA Quarterfinal)
