Dorsey charges past Sylmar, 75-60

Winfred Louis Clark III, a senior point guard at Los Angeles Dorsey, got new shoes last week. They are bright gold and look as though they could glow in the dark.

“I like being different,” he said.

Those shoes could be as valuable as the ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” if Clark keeps performing the way he has been. It was his ability to find openings in Sylmar’s zone defense in the second quarter, then contribute eight points in the third quarter, that ignited Dorsey to a 75-60 victory over the Spartans in a first-round game of the City Section Division I playoffs at Dorsey on Thursday night.

The Dons (13-7), seeded No. 6, will play Washington in a quarterfinal game Tuesday. Washington defeated Locke, 92-48.

Dorsey has been heading toward peak form. The Dons inflicted a 16-point defeat on Coliseum League champion Crenshaw late in the season, and that victory elevated their seeding. They trailed Sylmar, 14-11, after the first quarter, then increased their defensive pressure, forced turnovers and outscored the Spartans, 25-10, to take a 36-24 halftime lead.

Clark finished with 10 points, part of a balanced attack. Dillon Biggs led the way with 13 points and 6-foot-6 junior Donald Muepo scored 12.

“We’re playing better defense and committed to helping each other,” Clark said.

Veteran Dorsey Coach Kevin Gibson said of his team’s improved play, “They’re just focusing. They’ve been trying to do what I asked them to do. They’re playing with more energy.”

Dorsey will face a tough challenge against Washington, which relies on full-court pressure. That means Clark will be in the spotlight. He seems to be a calming influence on his teammates.

Alex Moreno scored 22 points for Sylmar (8-20).

Tuesday’s quarterfinal schedule: Cleveland at Taft, Dorsey at Washington, Palisades at Crenshaw, Fairfax at Westchester.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com