After finishing the 2024–25 season with a 15–15 record and a second-round playoff loss to eventual 2025 champions Canyon High School, the Dos Pueblos High School boys basketball team is aiming to improve this season and finish with a winning record in Channel League for the first time since 2021–22.
Captain and forward Wyatt Gardiner (12) said that the team gained a lot of experience from last year’s playoff run and has “the potential” to go far.
“Our team last year was great, but I feel like this year, our core seniors are going to carry us further,” Gardiner said. “Last year gave us the experience to really build on a strong run at the playoffs and a strong regular season as well.”
According to head coach Joe Zamora, one of the team’s main goals for the season is to defeat crosstown rivals Santa Barbara High School and San Marcos High School, whom the team believes they have the size to match up well against.
“We’re big this year,” Zamora said. “…Doesn’t mean you’re always going to win because you’re taller, but it means we can do a lot more.”
The Chargers’ last wins against SBHS and SMHS came in 2022 and 2017, respectively; however, the team is now looking to compete in the Channel League.
“The reason why it’s so important [to beat SBHS and SMHS] is not just because of the rivalry,” varsity captain and guard Evan Pinsker (12) said. “Those are the top two teams in Channel League, and if we can beat one of those teams, that doesn’t just help us with morale and breaking a losing streak, but it helps us in the rankings.”
Beyond just winning in crosstown games, the team believes it has the talent to place highly in its league and go on a playoff run.
“Channel League is definitely not as strong … and a lot of teams are in an in-between stage,” said Coulter Jay (12), varsity captain and power forward. “I feel like we have a great chance to make a run.”
Last year, the team had five now-graduated seniors, most notably captain and guard Shane Grant.
(Lucas Trexler)
“[Shane] was a defender, he was a leader, he never took no for an answer,” Zamora said. “Those are some qualities you want in your captain, and to lose that is hard.”
Despite the loss of last year’s seniors, Zamora said that this year’s team is very experienced.
“The guys that are varsity players now, two of them are three-year players, and one is a four-year player,” Zamora explained. “Having that experience is definitely a way to overcome the loss of those guys.”
The team predicts its total wins will range from 18 to 22, with a playoff berth.
“It’s gonna be a fun season,” Zamora said. “I know the student body knows a lot of these players, and I’m expecting to see filled gyms and a lot of energy.”
The Chargers’ first game of the season is on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. on the road against Lompoc High School, with their first home game on Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. against Point Loma High School.
