Prep Talk: Celebrating a Memorable Season at Triumph, a Sylmar Charter School

Triumph Charter School Shines in Small-Schools Basketball

Triumph Charter School, located in Sylmar and established in 2010, is making a significant impression in small-schools basketball this season. Under the leadership of Coach Fabian Avila, the Jaguars are experiencing their best performance to date.

The team is powered by the Garcia brothers—Antonio, a 6-foot-3 senior, and Damian, a talented freshman point guard. Antonio, a standout scorer in the City Section last season, is maintaining his prowess this year with an average of 19 points per game. "He’s very strong and physical," Avila remarked about his senior player. Meanwhile, Damian is contributing notably with an average of 11 points.

One of Triumph’s most notable victories came against AGBU, where Antonio scored an impressive 22 points. The school, which has an enrollment of fewer than 400 students, emphasizes the use of multi-sport athletes, with some players balancing commitments to both basketball and soccer.

In his ninth year as coach, Avila reflects on the team’s growth, asserting, “This is my best team.” The current roster comprises 13 players, all local students from the Sylmar area, with no transfers. Last season, Triumph made it to the Division IV semifinals but faced challenges due to injuries, finishing the game with only five players. This year, the team’s depth appears stronger with the inclusion of freshmen.

Triumph has previously secured one City title—in boys’ volleyball. As the playoffs approach, much anticipation surrounds how Triumph will rank based on computer metrics. The team’s journey continues to attract attention, marking a promising chapter in their basketball history.