Blair boys’ varsity basketball falters against Springbrook

On Monday, Jan. 27, the Blair boys’ varsity basketball team (7-6) lost to Springbrook Blue Devils (12-1) in a second half dismantling. The Blazers started strong with physical defense and intensity, but lost momentum by the midway point of the second quarter–ultimately losing 79-65.

The Blazers grabbed an early lead in the first quarter. Sophomore guard Paul Ransom, Blair’s leading scorer in the game with 21 points, pushed the pace early with intense defensive possessions and coast-to-coast drives. 

In the second quarter, the Blue Devils capitalized on a lack of defensive discipline from the Blazers, regaining control with simple fast breaks and free throws. A couple of key blocks from defensive possessions shifted momentum to the Blue Devils, as they quickly cut the Blair lead to one point. This momentum continued for Springbrook, as they went on a 7-3 scoring run to end the half. At halftime, Blair was down 34-39. 

Blair basketball team with coach

Photo: The Blazers struggled to stay within striking distance of the Blue Devils during the second half.

The Blazers struggled to stay within striking distance of the Blue Devils during the second half. Photo courtesy of Anthony Le.

The halftime break wasn’t enough for the Blazers to find an answer to Springbrook’s physicality and stamina. The Blue Devils quickly jumped to a nine-point lead to start the half, and the Blazers were unable to stay within scoring distance. A key defensive charge taken by senior forward Yacouba Maiga gave the Blazers a glimmer of hope midway through the third quarter.

In the end, the Blazers’ efforts were not enough to quell quick and efficient ball movement from Springbrook. A three-pointer late in the third quarter was the dagger for the Blazers, as they never came back from that 12-point deficit. 

Junior Bakarr Abu said that the team played well in the first half, emphasizing that the intensity carried the team forward. However, he said that the team began to struggle when this intensity changed. “I feel like the defensive intensity changed a lot in the second half,” he said. “Because after we stopped playing defense hard like how we played in the first half, they started just running the points up. We were taking too many quick shots, which led to their quick buckets.” 

Abu felt that the loss was mostly self-inflicted, saying that the Blazers definitely had a chance to win early on. “I feel like we most definitely could have beat them,” he said. “But I think we lost because we killed ourselves here. I feel like if we played harder in the second half we could have beat them.” 

Abu, who ended the game with 11 points, said that the Blazers’ defensive intensity could decide the rest of the season. “We just have to have more defensive intensity and we have to score more efficiently,” he said. 

The Blazers’ next game is at Bethesda Chevy Chase (away) on Friday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be found here.