Blair team after the trophy presentation, Feb. 25, 2023 (Photo – Kate Higginbotham)
Blair High School won its first CIF Southern Section 5-A boys basketball championship with a decisive 84-59 win over unseeded Santa Paula High School. The win represents Blair’s first CIF championship after appearances in the 1983 and 2017 CIF finals.
By Jennifer Higginbotham
Celebrating the Vikings’ victory, Principal Amy McGinnis said, “I’m so proud of them. They did such a good job. They held it together and played their game the way they know how.”
Blair is led by standout 6’ 5” senior Shakour Sidney, a top rebounder who earned an athletic scholarship to Santa Monica City College. Next year is looking great for the Vikings, too, with point guard Keshrey Smith Jr, a 6’ 1” sophomore who leads CIF-SS Div 5 with 12 assists per game, and Timmy Anderson, a 5’ 11” freshman who is #4 in assists.
Vikings Coach Devon Richardson is in his third year at Blair and has built a strong program. Assistant Coach Tommy Anderson, who also coaches the middle school boy’s basketball team, is Timmy Anderson’s father.
Next up for the Blair Vikings are the regional playoffs which start February 28.
Jennifer Higginbotham is a proud Blair parent who also chairs the School Site Council and is a Parent Ambassador for Pasadena Education Network (PEN).
Blair Freshman Timmy Anderson (Photo – Kate Higginbotham)
Coach Devon Richardson with Principal Amy McGinnis (Photo – Kate Higginbotham)
Dominating on the court (Photo – Jennifer Higginbotham)
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