LOS ANGELES – FilAm coach Bryan Camacho continues to cement his legacy in high school basketball.
Camacho’s Bishop Alemany High School girls basketball team (31–5) captured the CIF Division III state championship on March 22 after defeating Sacred Heart of San Francisco (25 – 7) in a tough low-scoring game at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.
Alemany defeated Sacred Heart by the score of 46 – 40 to win its fourth CIF title.
“It’s pretty amazing,” said Camacho to the Asian Journal. “That’s the formula when you surround yourself with great people, and great talent. It all came together for us this year.”
By leading and winning the championship, Camacho becomes the first person in San Fernando Valley history to lead multiple programs to state titles, according to the Daily News.
In 2009, Camacho guided Bellarmine-Jefferson girls basketball program in Burbank to a CIF Div. V state title. The championship was not only the first title for the Catholic school but also the first team title in any sport ever in Burbank city history.
“I’m definitely proud of it,” said Camacho, referring to the two titles he won. “I have great kids and great families. I’m very fortunate to be a part of it. Again, it’s just a reflection of surrounding myself with great people. On a personal note, I’m very proud of accomplishing that.”
After coaching Bell-Jeff for several years, Camacho joined the California State University, Northridge Matadors women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach prior to the start of the 2010-11 season to fulfill a dream working for an NCAA Division I basketball program.
But family responsibilities took priority after the birth of his son, so when Alemany came calling two years ago, Camacho took the job.
“There are not many Filipinos coaching in Div. 1 basketball so I couldn’t it pass up,” he said. “I enjoyed CSUN. I was only there for a year. We recruited an unbelievable class and they were the number one turnaround team last year. I was fortunate to be part of it.”
“I’m a new father. My son is 2 and a half right now. I didn’t want to do the grind or the travel [required of an assistant coach],” he said. “But I couldn’t pass up Alemany. They have such a beautiful campus. There are so many special people in the administration. I love the diversity here.”
Camacho took over a program that was 15-15 a year before became head coach in 2011.
Last year, the girls’ program made it to the finals but fell short, he said.
This year, the Lady Warriors put it all together finishing with a 30 win season, and capturing the Mission League, CIF Division 3AA, Div. 3 So Cal Regional, and the Div. III state championships.
Unlike his championship team at Bell Jeff, he did not have any Filipina basketball players on the team.
However, three of his five coaches are Filipino, he said.
“We wear that as a badge of honor and with great pride,” said Camacho of his Filipino heritage. “When we made it to the state finals, it shows that we as a people are doing special things. We are doing great things.”
He said if any Pinay high school basketball players or parents want to learn more about the Alemany girls basketball program to email him at [email protected].