Sylmar Comes From Behind to Beat Birmingham, 53-48

There was something very blue-collar-like about the way Sylmar High earned its first City Section 3-A boys’ basketball championship.

The Spartans held Birmingham without a field goal for six minutes in the fourth quarter and without an offensive rebound the entire final period in a 53-48 comeback victory before 1,200 at Cal State Los Angeles Saturday afternoon.

Sylmar (19-9) rallied from a 42-32 deficit late in the third quarter but attempted only two three-point shots.

Sylmar outrebounded fourth-seeded Birmingham, 14-2, in the fourth quarter.

While Birmingham (18-10) was missing eight consecutive shots, the Braves were finally caught at 45-45 on an inside basket by Dedrick Washington with 3:12 left. Sylmar led by five with 1:24 left.

George Wrighster scored 14 points for Sylmar to lead a balanced attack. Sylmar finished with a 42-22 rebounding advantage.

GIRLS

Bell 64, Fairfax 50--Linda Tran scored eight of her 12 points in a decisive third quarter for the third-seeded Eagles in the 3-A championship before 1,000 at Cal State Los Angeles.

Bell held a 24-22 lead over the top-seeded Lions at halftime, then outscored Fairfax 23-16 in the third quarter.

Mayra Armendarez scored 16 points and Jackie Mexquita added 12 for Bell.

Michelle Tompkins scored 20 for Fairfax, which had outscored its three previous playoff opponents by at least 25 points.