The younger team went undefeated and beat the LA Hype in the championship game by 2 points, winning 26-24. The older team also went undefeated and narrowly beat out the Ventura Heat in the final game to win 54-53. This is the first Las Vegas championship title for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara.

Coach Manny Murillo had this to say about the win for his younger team: “To watch the Baller program build from the ground up as a former player and now a coach has been one of the most influential experiences in my life. My older brother Robert Allen and current Athletic Director Kim Kjar have put in over 10 years of hard work and dedication to build a program based on family, love and respect and I am blessed to carry on the tradition. I have become extremely close to these young boys and to witness them coming together as brothers in the Baller family and winning in Las Vegas is indescribable. I am so proud of them.”

Kim Kjar, athletic director and coach of the older team had this to say after the game:

“We went up against some teams with a lot more height than our guys and we wore them out with our speed, defense and great conditioning. I am very proud of their teamwork and dedication to the program and each other. Winning in Vegas is a big deal to these players and to the whole Boys and Girls Club organization.”

To find out more about the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara or the Ballers program, call Kim Kjar at 962-2382 or visit their website.

About the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara

The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Inc. founded in 1938 with the mission to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Club’s programs include Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, Fine Arts Program, and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.

For further information, please visit www.boysgirls.org or contact Vickie Prezelin at 805-962-2382 ext. 28 or by email at vickie@boysgirls.org.

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