News & Events 2002-2003

Success Over the Holidays for Blair Basketball

	The Blair Bucs at the GlaxoSmithKline Invitational in Raleigh, NC on December 30th. Click on image to view larger.

Blair Academy’s nationally ranked basketball team continued their great winning streak over the holiday break taking first place at the NYC Boys Club Holiday Invitational and the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational.

Blair beat their rival Lawrenceville 76-55 in the quarterfinal round of the NYC Boys Club Holiday Invitational on December 20-21. Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva combined for 50 points, 23 rebounds, and 11 assists, and with a solid supporting cast, Blair simply overwhelmed their rival. In the semifinals, the Bucs managed to beat the Boys Club by 12 points, 74-62. The win set up a rematch of last year’s final, an exciting contest in which Worcester Academy defeated the Bucs 75-70. This year it was different, with Blair earning their first trophy of the season by defeating Worcester 64-53. Luol Deng scored half of his 16 points in the pivotal first frame, as Blair built a lead it would never relinquish. Deng also pulled in a game-high 14 rebounds, and Charlie Villanueva scored a team-high 18 points. Patrick Davidson also reached double figures for Blair, contributing 10 points. The tournament was not only a team success for Blair, as Villanueva and Michael Beers earned All-Tournament Team honors. Deng capped an excellent weekend by being named Tournament MVP, an honor he truly deserved.

The next weekend, the Blair Bucs traveled to Raleigh, NC to compete in the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational. In the showcase game, Blair served notice to the national high school basketball landscape that they have arrived, posting a resounding 85-67 victory over powerhouse Laurinburg. Deng again proved just how outstanding he is, totaling a season-high 28 points and adding 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Junior Chris Alvarez turned in his best performance to date, scoring 12 points and picking up a number of key steals, Patrick Davidson went for 13 points, and Charlie Villanueva added 12 to the win. In the semifinal game the Bucs were victorious against Nansemond River 72-62. Deng scored 23 points and pulled in 8 rebounds, and Villanueva tallied 26 and 6. Patrick Davidson continued his solid play, contributing 10 points towards the triumph. Blair brought home their second trophy of the season with a big win against Northern Durham 83-53 in the finals game of the tournament. Deng led all players with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, Villanueva contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Felipe registered 12 points. The entire Blair team saw considerable action in the game, with 10 of the 12 players finding their way into the scoring column. Patrick Davidson’s solid play earned him All-Tournament honors along with Villanueva, who garnered such recognition for the second straight weekend. Luol Deng, perhaps topping his effort in New York, won the tournament’s MVP award.

Blair enters the New Year with an astounding 12-0 record. Things will be no easier for Blair in 2003, as the team begins January at home against St. Patrick’s, hoping to avenge three consecutive setbacks to the nationally ranked Celtics. The game, to be played at Blair on January 8, should be one of the season’s finest.

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