2023 started off with a bang for the FSDB Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Cheerleading teams. All three teams won the Mason-Dixon Championship this past weekend. The last time the Dragons swept the annual tournament was in 2013.
Boys Basketball Tournament
FSDB hosted the 69th Annual Mason-Dixon Boys Basketball Tournament and cheerleading competition on January 26-28, 2023. The Dragons entered the tournament as the fourth seed among eight state schools. In their opening game, FSDB faced the fifth-seeded Mississippi Bulldogs. Seniors Sincere Vazquez and Phoenix Lambirth lead the team to a 50-28 victory, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.
In the semifinal game, the Dragons easily handled the number one seed, North Carolina Bears, scoring 40 points off of turnovers. The final score was 62-22.
The championship game would square the Dragons off against a familiar foe; the Alabama Silent Warriors. Alabama started off quick and led 8-1, but the Dragons settled down and gained the lead by halftime, 20-14. The Dragon defense was suffocating all night, causing 28 forced turnovers, including 15 steals. When the final buzzer sounded in Settles Gym, the Dragons celebrated with a 48-40 victory, securing their first Mason-Dixon Championship on their home court since 1968, which was also the first time FSDB won Mason-Dixon.
Watch a highlight video from the Championship game between FSDB and ASD.
"We lost six seniors from last year's squad, but it did not faze our young team," said Head Coach Dakota Kalis. "We won because we played the right way of basketball through fundamentals, discipline, energy, passion, and buying into the system. We are an undersized team; however, we played aggressively and were more physical than them."
Senior Will Devis was named tournament MVP. Along with Devis, Sincere Vazquez and Phoenix Lambirth were selected to the All-Tournament Team. FSDB has now won the Mason-Dixon championship seven times (1968, 1979, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2023).
Cheerleading Competition
Four school teams competed in the Cheerleading Competition; Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee. The Dragons clinched the championship, followed by Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee. The Dragons also won individual awards in the Jump Contest. Oceana Brown won first place, and teammate Andrae Henderson placed second. The FSDB Cheerleading team has now won a total of 19 Mason-Dixon Championships.
Girls Basketball Tournament
Seven state schools traveled to Morganton, North Carolina, for the 44th Annual Mason-Dixon Girls Basketball Tournament, hosted by the North Carolina School for the Deaf.
The Dragons entered the tournament as the number one seed and heavy favorite. With only seven schools, the Dragons received a bye. They would play their first game in the semifinals against the Louisiana School for the Deaf. The girls won 47-6, advancing to the championship to take on the Alabama School for the Deaf Silent Warriors. The Dragons dominated the game and took down Alabama, 48-10, securing their seventh Mason-Dixon championship.
Sophomore Kayla Debrow was selected as the Most Valuable Player. She was also named to the All-Tournament team, along with teammates Mariska Dize, Ivabella Essex, and Priscilla LeFors.
To see results and awards from both tournaments, visit the links below.
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school in historic St. Augustine, available to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind. The FSDB experience gives students the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. Early intervention and outreach services are also available throughout the state of Florida. Private donations help to support programs that directly benefit students which are not covered by state funds. To inquire about enrollment, contact Parent Services at 904-827-2212 or 904-201-4527 VP. To schedule a campus tour, contact Outreach Services at bit.ly/fsdbtours. For more information, visit fsdbk12.org.