Granada Hills Charter, Sylmar win LA City Section boys basketball titles
The LA City Section boys and girls basketball finals were played this past weekend at various sites. A number of local programs were crowned City champions.
The Granada Hills boys basketball team won the Division I title with a 59-51 win over West Valley League foe Chatsworth at Pasadena City College. Senior Rafayel Masumyan led the Highlanders with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Kristapor Kedikian added 13 points and Mateo Achoyan pitched in 12 points and nine rebounds.
Highlanders coach Jon Bent, who was a standout himself at Granada Hills Charter before graduating in 2007, felt the full-circle moment when the buzzer sounded and he ushered the program to its first City crown since 2019 under longtime coach Don Loperena.
“I don’t like to be a big deal,” Bent said. “The most touching moment from the (championship) game was looking behind me and seeing 25-30 guys I’ve coached over the years. To know that they still root for us and care. Just thankful overall.”
In Division II, Sylmar defeated King/Drew 70-64 at LA Southwest College thanks to Tim Tanner and Robert Winn. Tanner tallied 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Winn had 15 points and eight rebounds.
Sylmar coach Bort Escoto lifted his fourth City title Friday night, which came 28 years after his first in 1998. The last time Sylmar won a City title was in 2015.
Despite the 28-year span, it’s not the longest known in recent memory. Westchester’s legendary coach Ed Azzam won a City title in 1991 and again in 2020 — that’s 29 years — but it’s not the longest.
Fairfax coach Harvey Kitani won a City title in 1985 and again in 2015, marking a 30-year window. Kitani is now the coach at Rolling Hills Prep.
“It’s like your firstborn child, it holds a special place in your heart,” Escoto said jokingly.
“Of course, this one feels great, but it was more for the kids to believe in themselves and that they can accomplish something,” he added.
Verdugo Hills defeated Robert F. Kennedy Community 62-42 in the Division III boys final. Franklin beat San Fernando 69-55 in the Division IV final and Canoga Park topped Van Nuys 43-38 in the Division V final.
In girls basketball, Kennedy beat El Camino Real 54-31 in the Division I final to win its first City title since 2016. North Hollywood edged Harbor Teacher 59-55 in Division II.