It’s sort of a mystery at this point where the Blair boys basketball team fits in the Rio Hondo League.

The Vikings, who play their league opener tonight at 7 at South Pasadena, had high expectations entering the season because of junior sensation Timmy Anderson and a strong supporting cast. But injuries and a flu bug have hampered them, leaving them 7-7 overall.

Anderson has done his part. He scored a season-high 50 points in a 78-63 victory over Muir and is leading the San Gabriel Valley in scoring with an average of 32 points a game.

In a nonleague game Monday against Whittier, Anderson poured in 36 points in an 82-61 victory.

But it will be a chore taking on South Pasadena (9-4), a team that just won the Platinum Division of its own tournament with an 81-72 victory over Alemany.

“It’s always going to be a tough game against them,” Blair coach Devon Richardson said of playing South Pasadena “We’re starting to get whole, get healthy, but we like the matchup against them this year better than last year.

“They used to just outmatch us in size, but we might have the size advantage this time. They play fast, they run and they press, the same thing that we do, which could be to our advantage. I don’t know, we’ll see, but we’re excited to get going and see where we’re at.”

Sophomore guard Sam Bowen has been limited to just three games due to injury. The Vikings also have missed guard Simeon Alawode III, who has played just one game because of a knee injury. Both are expected back soon.

The Vikings are also hopeful that junior center Manny Macias, a transfer from Bravo High, gets cleared to play because they need his inside presence.

There have been positives. Sophomore Jaleel Hunter, a transfer from Fairfax, is averaging 14 points and 6-foot-7 junior Serigne Deme is averaging 12 points with nine rebounds.

“Hunter is probably one of the more talented guards we’ve had at Blair,” Richardson said, “and (Deme) is going to be the key. He’s still learning the game and figuring out his responsibilities. Once he clicks, he’s our anchor.”

Anderson led the Vikings to a CIF Southern Section title as a freshman when he averaged 24 points a game. He averaged 32 points as a sophomore and is fourth in the CIF-SS in scoring this season.

“Timmy is just coming of age,” Richardson said. “He put on a little more weight to take on the beating he takes. He’s showing a good midrange package, but his main thing is he’s focusing on guarding the other team’s best player on defense and is doing it.

“I used to guard against that, because he’s so vital on the offensive end, but he wants that responsibility and giving us everything he can.”

AZUSA senior SANCHEZ HAVING A BIG SEASON

Azusa senior Adam Sanchez, the son of athletic director Albert Sanchez, has become the focal point of the Aztecs’ offense and he is making the most of it.

Sanchez has averaged 22 points, nine rebounds and nearly three assists per game, all of which lead the team.

Over the past five games, Sanchez averaged 27.8 points and he put up a season-best 32 points against Bassett.

The Aztecs are having a productive season, too, as they are 7-3 as they prepare for the Montview League.