By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor If the magical and historic 2016-17 Blair basketball season had to come to an end, maybe Saturday night was the most fitting way possible. The undersized Vikings on the road at No. 1 seeded Burbank. The Vikings missing one of their leading scorers in Dallas Murray. Blair’s 5-foot-6, 130-pound senior […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
If the magical and historic 2016-17 Blair basketball season had to come to an end, maybe Saturday night was the most fitting way possible.
The undersized Vikings on the road at No. 1 seeded Burbank.
The Vikings missing one of their leading scorers in Dallas Murray.
Blair’s 5-foot-6, 130-pound senior Jack Dakan taking over the scoring load, and the Vikings coming back from a 13-point deficit to force overtime.
Burbank did defeat Blair, 73-70, in the CIF State Division 4 quarterfinals, but not without a fight from the most successful team in Blair hoops history.
Jack Dakan has come off the bench all year and added a much-needed spark, but in his last game, the senior dubbed “Mr Clutch” was at his best.
Dakan hit six 3-point baskets and had 16 of his 25 points in the second half and overtime, including a 5 of 5 effort from the free-throw line.
Gabe Snow came back from injury and the junior added 13 points for the Vikings.
Dez Washington finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Michael Woods led Burbank (25-9) with 21 points.
Not to be overlooked, Caleb Smith played an enormous role in Blair’s best season ever.
The senior point guard had 12 points and 7 assists.
Smith played his best basketball in the postseason.
Blair finishes 25-8, which is believed to be the most wins in school history.
Quotable:
Senior guard Jack Dakan: “This was our last game of the season and we knew it was going to be tough since they were the number one seed. Both teams played very well. The game could’ve gone either way for any team and it went to Burbank. Playing with a smaller unit and without Dallas, one of our main key players was tough, but everyone stepped up and left their hearts on the floor. This season has been great. We’ve come from being one of the worst teams to one of the best. All of our hard work and dedication and training in the off season paid off. We have been the best Blair team since 1981, and everyone played for each other. We all had one goal and dream to play basketball and make a statement. Although our season didn’t end the way we wanted to, I still have much respect and love for my teammates. I wouldn’t trade them for anyone.”
Blair coach Alon Margalit: “It was an incredible season. From winning 25 games to making the CIF SS finals to taking the number 1 seed to OT on the road in State. We were without question the best team in Blair history, and made history on many levels. Even in losing our last game, we went out swinging, coming back from 13 on the road. Jordan, Jack and Caleb exemplified the Blair uprising. From their incredible leadership to their 3.5 GPA to the incredible seasons and careers they had. They are legends forever at Blair. Couldn’t ask for better kids to coach. They made it from the bottom to the top and were the engine of one the best turnaround stories that I could remember in high school sports. Tonight’s game: epic battle between two great teams, they made one more play than we did. It’s a game we felt we should have won but give them credit, they have a great team and a great home court.”
Box Score:
Blair: 14-21-16-15-4-(70)
Burbank: 21-14-17-14-7-(73)
Blair scoring: Jack Dakan: 25, Dezmond Washington: 14, Gabe Snow: 13, Caleb Smith: 12, Jordan Hall 4, Chris Bagby 2.
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