Boys’ basketball: After two years of road games, Hamilton is playing for another title

Perhaps playing two years of road games hasn’t been too bad for Hamilton High. The Yankees won the City Section Division II championship last season while their gym was being fixed. It’s still not fixed this season, and they’re playing for another championship on Saturday, this time in Division I at 3 p.m. against Crenshaw at Cal State Domingue Hills.

“It’s L.A. Unified,” Coach Mark Mizuno said of the delay in completing the gym.

The team shares the “small gym” on campus with the girls team for practices and then plays all road games. That hasn’t been the best of situations for the seniors. They haven’t gotten the opportunity to play at home in front of their fellow students.

But winning another City title would be a great reward. The Yankees (12-16) are well prepared, having faced the likes of Westchester and Fairfax in the Western League. Louis Walker, a 6-foot-4 senior, has been the leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.4 points and 11.3 rebounds.

There’s even progress to report on the gym. The floor has been put in. Next up are the bleachers, so maybe it will be available for next season (fingers crossed).

And maybe a new banner can go up on the painted walls.

For the latest on high school sports, follow @LATSondheimer on Twitter