Damien Wins Division I State Boys' Basketball Title

Zaire Rasshan's hot shooting in the second half leads Damien to victory over Folsom.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:22am

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Damien High School won the Division I state boys' basketball championship with a 58-55 victory over Folsom. Zaire Rasshan, who struggled early, found his shot in the second half and finished with 18 points, including five three-pointers. Elijah Smith added 18 points and four assists for Damien, which executed its offense flawlessly down the stretch to pull away for the win.

Why it matters

Damien's victory marks the fifth straight year that a team from the Southern Section Open Division has dropped down to Division I and won the state title, showcasing the strength of basketball in that region. The win also highlights the coaching acumen of Mike LeDuc, who has produced some of the Southern Section's best scorers over his long career.

The details

After a slow start where he was only 2-of-9 from three-point range in the first half, Zaire Rasshan caught fire in the second half to lead Damien's comeback. His three-pointer to start the third quarter sparked a 10-0 run that Folsom could not recover from. Rasshan finished with 18 points, including five made three-pointers. Elijah Smith added 18 points and four assists, while Eli Garner had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Damien's near-perfect execution on offense in the fourth quarter was the difference, as they outrebounded Folsom 32-21 and took 30 three-pointers to Folsom's 18.

  • Rasshan made a three-pointer to start the third quarter, sparking a 10-0 run for Damien.
  • Damien took a 57-47 lead with 39 seconds left after two Elijah Smith free throws.

The players

Zaire Rasshan

A key player for Damien High School who struggled early but found his shot in the second half, finishing with 18 points and five made three-pointers.

Elijah Smith

The point guard for Damien High School who had 18 points and four assists, playing a crucial role in the team's offensive execution down the stretch.

Mike LeDuc

The veteran head coach of Damien High School, known for developing some of the Southern Section's best scorers during his time at Glendora High School.

Joven Dulay

A player for Folsom High School who scored 16 points in the losing effort.

Parks Weaver

A player for Folsom High School who also scored 16 points in the championship game.

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What they’re saying

“I told him to start making them.”

— Mike LeDuc, Head Coach, Damien High School (Los Angeles Times)

“I knew they were going to fall.”

— Zaire Rasshan (Los Angeles Times)

“Their level of execution was on another level from anyone we've played.”

— Mike Wall, Head Coach, Folsom High School (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

Damien High School will look to build on its state championship victory and continue its success in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Damien's championship win showcases the strength of basketball in the Southern Section, as the team's near-perfect execution and coaching from veteran Mike LeDuc proved to be the difference against a tough Folsom squad.