2011 PREP A and MAPL CHAMPIONS

Both Blair’s girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams won Prep A State titles on February 23. Final scores: Boys - Blair vs. Lawrenceville 58-52; Girls - Blair vs. Peddie W 58-32. Congratulations to the teams, coaches and managers. Way to go, Bucs!

The girls’ victory is their first Prep A State Championship. According to the coaches, after winning the MAPL championship two weekends ago, the Blair girls determined that a state title was theirs to win. The Peddie girls won the Prep A Title for the past 14 years; accordingly, they came into the game with confidence. Blair got off to a slow start defensively but shot the ball well to earn a nine-point half-time lead. Tenacious third-quarter defense from the Lady Bucs set the tone that coaches Altman and Lunger had hoped for. A series of steals and fast break points quickly extended the Blair lead, and a number of Blair reserves also added quality minutes in the final quarter of play.

Spectators and coaches enjoyed the physical post battle between Blair senior captain, Temi Fagbenle (a 2011 McDonald’s All-American), and Peddie senior captain, Karima Gabriel. Both players found themselves in foul trouble by the break, but each found ways to score. Temi led Blair scorers with 15 and grabbed eight rebounds. Equally impressive were Blair’s shooting guards, namely Nicole Lem and Femi Hamilton. Lem and Hamilton each hit three (3) three-pointers, and both players finished with 13 points (a season-high for Hamilton). Point-guard Shaina Earle added a pair of threes and Annette Snow hit one. Blair’s nine makes from behind the arc were also a season-high. Kelsey Stevens ended her Blair career in high style with four points, five rebounds and several beautiful assists.  

The girls’ coaches thank the players for their toughness and dedication throughout the season: “This team achieved greatness together; the strength of and trust between all its members brought unprecedented success. Thanks also to the fans (and especially our faithful ball girls!) who cheered us on along the way!”

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