By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor When Blair takes the court on Saturday night at Azusa Pacific University at 6, the Vikings will have graduates from 1981 to current day rooting them on. Blair (24-6) gets West Torrance (21-8) with the Division 4-AA title at stake. As always, the offense will go through 6-foot-7 forward Dez […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
When Blair takes the court on Saturday night at Azusa Pacific University at 6, the Vikings will have graduates from 1981 to current day rooting them on.
Blair (24-6) gets West Torrance (21-8) with the Division 4-AA title at stake.
As always, the offense will go through 6-foot-7 forward Dez Washington.
The junior averages 21 a night and has upped his total over the Vikings impressive playoff run.
But make no mistake about it, Blair is so much more than just Washington’s dominating presence.
Perhaps no other area team has the six players averaging at, over or near 10 points per game like Blair does.
West Torrance is big, athletic and quick, but then again, Blair makes up for any deficiencies it may have with excellent coaching and a diversity in production that gives them a chance every time they take the court.
Washington has 94 points in the four postseason wins, and he looks to continue that on Saturday.
“For our team to win a championship, we have to do everything that got us to this point, nothing new,” Washington said. “Just play hard and together. My role will be to rebound, pass the ball and knock down some shots when I get them, and if we do that, we will come out victorious.”
Jack Dakan is a chiseled vet, who does what his team needs most from the senior guard.
Dakan comes off the bench and averages 13 points per game, and he always seems to hit a big 3-point basket when the Vikings need it most.
“I am just looking forward to playing,” Dakan said. “It hasn’t happened since Ronald Reagan’s presidency, so this is a great thing to do. As a team, we’re looking to come out with intensity. I am going to play this game like it was my last.”
Caleb Smith and Gabe Snow both average 11 points per game for Blair, but both do much more than that, as does everyone who takes the court for the Vikings.
“I think we need to remember we’re about ready to make history and we need to play hard like we’ve done all season,” Smith said. “I know they (West Torrance) are big and physical, and probably the most dominant team we will play all season, so we’ll have to play hard.”
If the combined scoring of Washington, Dakan, Snow and Smith doesn’t put you away, perhaps the 9 points each night from Jordan Hall and Dallas Murray’s 8 will be the dagger.
“I’m looking forward to winning this game and getting a ring,” Hall said. “We play as a team and that’s gotten us far. We share the ball. We don’t have a specific player we have to give the ball to.”
Blair has a season-long advantage over West Torrance in points scored.
The Vikings have scored 2, 184 points as compared to 1,814 for the Warriors, but West Torrance has allowed 141 less points this season than Blair.
If Blair is able to match or near their season totals from Washington, Dakan, Snow, Smith, Hall and Murray, they’ll likely leave Azusa with a CIF championship.
“Everyone is super excited on campus,” Margalit said. “They’re a big, strong, physical and athletic team, so we’re going to have to rebound the ball and keep them out of the key. It’s very important that our fans come out (Saturday) because we feed off that. It’s always about us and our defensive effort, and coming up with loose balls and rebounds.”
By The Numbers:
Points scored: West Torrance 1,814; Blair 2,184.
Points allowed: West Torrance 1,554; Blair 1,695.
Current win streak: West Torrance 4; Blair 7.
League finish: West Torrance 8-2 (first place); Blair 7-3 (second place).
Points per game average: West Torrance 63; Blair 73.
3-Point Baskets:
Jack Dakan 95
Jordan Hall 51
Gabe Snow 49
Caleb Smith 42
Playoff Results:
Round one:
West Torrance had a bye
Blair 81, Ontario 55
Round two:
West Torrance 85, Katella 56
Blair 62, Flintridge Prep 53
Quarterfinal:
West Torrance 60, San Marino 58 (overtime)
Blair 79, Jurupa Valley 61
Semifinal:
West Torrance 64, Rowland 60
Blair 76, Woodcrest Christian 71 (overtime)
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