We are a site dedicated to the game of basketball in all its forms! In this article, Before the Buzzer: From Prep Partners to Pro-Am Opponents, MyntJ shares the outcome and story behind a unique basketball championship! Felicia Enriquez, aka Mynt J, is the host of the podcast BlackLove and Basketball – Compton Edition. She is a Clippers fan, an NBA credentialed creator representing thePeachBasket.
Final Score: Young Citi 81 – Redemption 76
This wasn’t your average championship. Coach Keion Kindred (Redemption) and Coach Lawrence Robinson (Young Citi) coach together at the same prep school. But for one night, they stood on opposite sidelines, leading two battle-tested squads into a $50,000 showdown.
“He came to me when he started the prep school and asked if I’d coach with him,” Robinson said. “We’ve loved the game since we were kids. That’s how this bond started.”
“We’re like mirror images,” said Kindred. “We run the same plays, same defensive sets. We know each other’s minds. There aren’t too many secrets here.”
The pregame energy was warm, but competitive. As Robinson said, “Right now, we’re friends. But once that whistle blows… you’ll see a different side.”
Before the Buzzer: Game Recap
The championship game took place on August 24, 2025, at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles, California—a fitting setting for a battle rooted in community, culture, and Compton-grown competitiveness.
Redemption came out strong, attacking the paint and forcing early turnovers. But Young Citi settled in behind the leadership of Tyler Hawkins and the physical presence of Bryan Battle.
The third quarter was the test. Historically a tough stretch for Young Citi, Coach Robinson admitted:
“Usually that’s when I’m yelling at them to stop wasting possessions. But tonight, we stayed composed.”
Despite a few giveaways, Young Citi stayed connected, turned up their defense, and clawed their way back. By the fourth, the game was tied at 74–74. Missed free throws by Redemption opened the door, and Young Citi executed late to seal the win.
Postgame: What the Champions Said
Coach Lawrence Robinson
“We came in as the underdogs, but my guys trusted me, and I trusted them. That’s what made the difference.”
“We’d been through the fire. When it was time to fight, my team showed what they were made of.”
Tyler Hawkins (Finals MVP, #11)
“It’s a blessing to win MVP, but honestly, my team deserves it just as much. We just kept fighting, kept getting stops, and stayed together until the end.”
Final stat line: 21 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Bryan Battle (#4)
“People don’t want to see young men like us win — but that just made us go harder.”
“We’re visionaries. We dreamed this, and tonight we proved it.”
From the Ground Up: Mecca’s Mission
The Mecca Pro-Am is still growing, but its roots run deep. Founder Steve started the league after COVID shut down a prior rec run. What began with a handful of players has grown into a full-fledged proving ground for SoCal hoopers.
“I just pulled the guys together and said, ‘Let’s do our own thing.’ Never thought it would grow like this.”
The Mecca is built around a simple motto, “For the players, by the players.”
Full Circle
It was one of those full-circle moments that speaks softly but says everything.
What kind of head coach teaches his assistant so well, that he ends up getting out-coached—respectfully—in the biggest game of the summer?
The kind of coach who leads with humility, not ego.
But truth be told, a lot of the credit belongs to the players. Coaching only goes so far. The real difference is execution—and these young men gave their hearts for 40 minutes. The game plan opened the door, but the team walked through it.
Final Word
Young Citi didn’t just win a game—they changed the narrative.
“We wanted them. They wanted us. And we came out on top,” Robinson said.
In a city where streetball is tradition and respect is earned, Young Citi left their mark—with heart, hunger, and the crown.
