By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Friday night’s CIF-SS Division 4-AA semifinal was just one more example of how composed coach Alon Margalit’s Blair basketball program is. The Vikings were outscored in three of the four quarters in regulation, but Blair found a way to push the game to overtime and wore down yet another opponent. […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Friday night’s CIF-SS Division 4-AA semifinal was just one more example of how composed coach Alon Margalit’s Blair basketball program is.
The Vikings were outscored in three of the four quarters in regulation, but Blair found a way to push the game to overtime and wore down yet another opponent.
Blair earned a 76-71 victory at Woodcrest Christian of Riverside, and now finds themselves in the Division 4-AA title game.
Dez Washington has been nothing less than dominant in the postseason and in Friday’s road win, that was no different.
Washington scored 27, Dallas Murray had 17, Caleb Smith 16 and Jack Dakan poured in 8 points.
” I feel like I played my role well,” Washington said. “I rebounded, passed (the ball) and scored. But as for my team, we played extremely well together. Our defense as a unit won us the game. I wouldn’t trade my teammates for anybody.”
Blair will face West Torrance in the championship game next Saturday, but the time has yet to be determined.
“It was an epic win in an overtime classic,” Blair coach Alon Margalit said. “Both teams played their hearts out and didn’t back down. There were plenty of moments that could have taken the air out of us, and we could have just said it wasn’t our night, but our guys refused to back down. Dez Washington and Dallas Murray dominated the inside, and our senior guards made incredibly clutch plays when we needed them most. Neither team deserved to lose, but our experience pulled us through.”
Quotable:
Blair Senior Jack Dakan: “Overall, we played a very good game. We underestimated Woodcrest’s shooting in the first half, but we adjusted the second half. We were down at half and we decided we weren’t going home without a W, and played our hearts out. Our defense is what got us the win. With the help of Chris Bagby’s tough ‘D’ in overtime and Jordan’s halls steal. I thought I didn’t shoot as well as I normally do, and got the shots I wanted, but they didn’t fall.. Instead, I provided on the defensive end, tipping balls and taking charges.”
Box Score:
Blair: 18-11-18-16-13-(76)
Wood Chris: 21-13-11-18-8-(71)
