For the first time since 2017, the Dos Pueblos High School varsity basketball team defeated the San Marcos Royals winning 69-67 in a crosstown rivalry game Wednesday night.

Evan Pinsker (12) and Wyatt Gardiner (12) lead the team with 22 points each. Pinsker scored six 3-pointers throughout the game.

The Chargers started off the game by leading 20-15 in the first quarter and went into halftime

ahead 33-29. The game stayed close during the second half, with the third quarter ending in a score of 50-39. The Royals pulled ahead multiple times in the fourth quarter, but the Chargers were able to regain their lead later, ending the game with a two point lead.

“[The Royals] made a lot of good runs to catch up,” Pinsker said. “But I think the best part was just staying through it.”

Basketball coach Joe Zamora said the Charger defense was able to “make a statement” and hold the Royals to a deficit for most of the game.

“The number one thing on the board today was defense,” Zamora said.

The game marked Gardiner’s first basketball appearance since a sprained ankle earlier in the season. Despite another injury in the fourth quarter, he stayed in the game and helped regain the lead over the Royals.

“I was a little banged up,” Gardiner said. “But … I was able to finish up the game.”

Today, the Chargers will travel to Pacifica to play the Tritons at 7 p.m.