Sylmar Spartans Claim First City Championship Since 2015

A year after losing 78-59 to Downtown Magnets in the 2025 CIF Division IV Finals, the Sylmar Spartans responded with a vengeance in their 2025-26 campaign with a 12-0 record in the Valley Mission League. After close wins over Lincoln and Carson in the first two rounds, the Spartans punched their ticket to Friday night’s CIF L.A. City Section Division II Championship Game after a dominant 93-75 win over Marquez. In front of a packed house at Los Angeles Southwest College, the No.3 seeded Spartans battled with the No. 4 seeded King-Drew Golden Eagles with a city title at stake. Both teams competed hard in a tough, physical game that remained close for three quarters before Sylmar edged King-Drew in the fourth quarter to bring the basketball program their first city championship since 2015.

A group of basketball players in white uniforms huddled together, showing teamwork and camaraderie, with a basketball resting on the court in front of them. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

Sylmar began the contest looking to set the tone early on the defensive end with their backcourt press after senior leading scorer Rob Winn scored on their opening possession. King-Drew matched their defensive intensity through forcing two turnovers with both teams showing signs of nerves. “They were a bit nervous at the beginning. Soon as they settled down, things changed.” said Sylmar head coach Bort Escoto in the postgame interview.

A basketball player in a blue and white uniform jumps to dunk the ball as another player in a black uniform attempts to block him, with a crowd watching in the background. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

The Spartans’ tenacious ball pressure in the backcourt produced takeaways that led to easy transition opportunities on the offensive end. Sophomore point guard Aiden Garcia and junior guard Tim Tanner scored 11 of Sylmar’s 16 first quarter points, as the Spartans held a slim two-point lead heading into the second quarter. Sylmar junior guard Andrew Galvez got the ball rolling in the second quarter with consecutive baskets in coordination with an 8-0 Spartans run.

A basketball player in a blue uniform leaps to make a shot while several opponents in black uniforms attempt to defend. The background is filled with an enthusiastic crowd watching the game. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

A basketball player celebrating a play during a game, with teammates and fans in the background. The player is wearing a white jersey and orange shoes, while an opponent in a black jersey is nearby. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

Sylmar stretched their lead to 22-15, when King-Drew head coach Lloyd Webster called a timeout with 7:15 left in the quarter to regroup. Golden Eagles senior Wayne Chamberlain was a spark plug for his team on both ends of the floor with six unanswered points following the timeout, making an impact defensively and on the boards. His efforts paved the way for a 9-2 run from King-Drew, where they tightened up their interior defense and their rim protection.

King-Drew trimmed the Spartans’ lead to one point midway through the second quarter. Sylmar got back in their defensive groove towards the latter part of the quarter and put pressure on the Golden Eagles by attacking the rim offensively. The Spartans earned opportunities at the charity stripe, yet left points on the board with five missed free throws in the quarter. Both teams were sloppy with the basketball to close the quarter as Sylmar led 31-28 at halftime.

A basketball player lying on the court floor, wearing a team jersey and orange sneakers, with a focused expression. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

A basketball player in a white uniform with the number 24, looking distressed and holding his head in a gym setting, with spectators and officials in the background. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

As the game moved into the second half, both teams ramped up the physicality and intensity with both teams battling for every loose ball. Sylmar and Kind-Drew shot a combined 22 free throws in the third quarter with each team attacking the basket relentlessly. The Spartans were 8/11 from the foul line in the quarter while the Golden Eagles made 6/11 free throw attempts.

A basketball player wearing a white jersey with blue lettering and the number 24 dribbles a basketball while running down the court during a game. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

A basketball player wearing number 24 jumps to score while being defended by a player in a black jersey. The scene captures a competitive high school basketball game with spectators in the stands. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

Galvez put up six points in the third quarter while setting the tone for the Spartans through putting pressure on King-Drew with dribble penetration and playing with pace. Escoto emphasized the pre-game strategy of earning points in the paint and drawing fouls in the postgame interview. “Traditionally, people like to kick it out for the three, we weren’t doing that. We’re [going] to the rack. Get them in foul trouble, that’s pretty much what we did.” He proclaimed.

A basketball player sitting on the court floor looking distressed, while another player stands over him celebrating. Both are in athletic uniforms, surrounded by other players in the background. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

A high school basketball game in action, with players from two teams competing on the court. One player is attempting a layup while two defenders from the opposing team reach to block the shot. The stands are filled with cheering spectators. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

The Spartans were able to gain just enough of an edge to take a 49-46 lead into the fourth quarter. King-Drew took an early lead in the quarter after back-to-back buckets to begin the quarter. Sylmar freshman guard Payton Perez responded with a three-point play conversion on a drive to the rim, proceeding to draw a foul. Perez gave Sylmar a two-point lead as each team traded baskets over the first two minutes of the quarter.

Coach Escoto called a timeout with 5:38 remaining in the game with Sylmar leading 58-56, in an effort to galvanize his team for the final stretch of the game. King-Drew tied the game once again courtesy of a score from sophomore Sam Venson. With a championship on the line, the Spartans were able to obtain the 50/50 balls and began to force turnovers as a part of a crucial 8-1 run that ran the clock down to the 2:12 mark after a Sylmar timeout. The Spartans took the floor with a 64-57 lead that proved to be too much of a deficit for the Golden Eagles to overcome in the final two minutes of the game.

Two basketball players embrace after a game, celebrating a moment of camaraderie. A third player looks on in the background, while a crowd is visible in the stands. — *Photo by Benjamin Becher*

Sylmar captured its fourth city championship in the basketball program in the 70-64 victory, as the players celebrated in euphoria. Escoto believed his players learned from the experience of the heartbreak from last season’s defeat. “I have a veteran group. Those guys were in the City Division IV championship game last year,” he elaborated, “So they came back and learned what they had to do to win this one.”

The Spartans will move on to host Valley Mission League rival Canoga Park in the CIF Division V State Playoffs on Tuesday night at 7:00 pm.