Derrick Taylor, a renowned high school basketball coach, has made significant strides since taking over the Blair boys’ basketball team in May. Taylor, previously celebrated for his four CIF Los Angeles City section championships with Taft and a CIF Southern Section title with St. John Bosco, faced a challenging situation at Blair. After the departure of star player Timmy Anderson and the dismissal of coach Devon Richardson, the Vikings were left with only four returning players from a team that finished 15-11 last season.
After a rocky start with four consecutive losses, the Vikings have turned their season around dramatically. They currently hold a record of 12-5, including a remarkable 2-0 in the Rio Hondo League, following a series of impressive victories over previously undefeated teams such as Monrovia and South Pasadena. “It took some time, but I like where we are, and where we’re heading,” said Taylor.
Emerging Stars Shine
One of the standout players for Blair has been junior Jaleel Hunter. Last season, Hunter averaged 14 points, often overshadowed by Anderson’s dominant scoring ability of 31 points per game. With Anderson’s transfer to Pasadena, Hunter has stepped up significantly, now averaging 25 points per game. “Listen, this kid (Hunter) is very talented,” Taylor noted. “He was always Robin to Timmy’s Batman. His role obviously expanded when Timmy left.”
Taylor has been pleased with Hunter’s development, observing that he is maturing and gaining confidence. Taylor added, “He’s a Division I (college) talent. He would play on some of my super teams at Taft and on the Bosco teams.”
Blair’s transformation accelerated after the sit-out period for transfers concluded in late December. The team added senior guard Joseph Riggins, a star transfer from Fairfax. In just three games, Riggins has made a significant impact, scoring 34 points in his debut against Muir and contributing 25 points in the league opener against Monrovia. In a subsequent game against South Pasadena, he tallied 28 points. Taylor remarked, “You go from struggling to score 50 and 60 points early in the season to scoring 90 points our last two games.”
Team Dynamics and Upcoming Challenges
Despite lacking size, the Vikings’ strength lies in their defensive play and the scoring capabilities of Hunter and Riggins. Taylor emphasized the need for a balanced team, stating that while they may not have height, their commitment to defense is unwavering. “We play hard, we shoot the ball well, and we have two guys that can score 25 on any given night. It’s a good place to be,” he said.
The team also benefits from the contributions of Joshua Sheran, a forward who provides crucial defensive support against larger opponents. “He’s not tall, but he’s got a good-sized body and he fights,” Taylor explained.
Looking ahead, Blair has a pivotal week with two key matches that could lead to sole possession of first place in the Rio Hondo League. The Vikings will host Temple City on January 10 at 19:00 before facing San Marino away on January 12, also at 19:00. Taylor acknowledged the significance of these games, stating, “It’s a big week for us. But I think we have the advantage of having the two most talented guys every time we step on the floor.”
With the momentum building under Taylor’s leadership, the Vikings are poised for a promising season as they strive for continued success in the league.
