SLO takes first crosstown rivalry matchup versus Mission Prep
Continuing the ever-intense and raucous atmosphere of San Luis Obispo-Mission Prep rivalry action, the Tigers (10-13, 2-2 Mountain) gave their fans some mid-season bragging rights by coming away with a 48-40 win on Friday.
San Luis Obispo clamped down on defense, forcing several turnovers and closed quickly on passes to keep the Royals (10-12, 1-3 Mountain) from gaining much offensive momentum.
In the first matchup between the crosstown rivals this season, SLO was led by senior Vaughn Otto who poured in 20 points, Beau Crew added 13 and Hayden Brandow tallied seven.
For the Royals, Kason Nico had a team-high 12 points, Colton Mott added 11 and David “Deuce” Kellogg contributed nine.
Kellogg is leading the Royals in scoring this season, averaging 17.9 points coming into the game, trailed by Hunter Drake, who averages 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
“It’s the biggest game of the year,” Otto said. “Our fans showed out. It’s just a great experience. We prepared for them all week. We learned how to attack mismatches, move the ball, play with each other, and on defense, jumping the ball, doing all the little things right, and just keeping a level head the whole game until four quarters were done. “
Knotted 18-18 at the half, after a slow offensive start for both teams, the game stayed close most of the way with both teams playing strong perimeter defense and limiting good looks at the basket.
In the second quarter, Crew tried to throw down a dunk on a breakaway fast break that got stuck on the rim and bounced away to the delight of the Mission Prep fans.
But SLO had the last laugh after gaining a 33-29 third quarter lead and then pulled away in the fourth quarter as the Royals were limited to only 11 points in the last eight minutes.
Brandow buried a 3-pointer to put SLO up 41-34 with 4:13 left and Tigers fans celebrated at half court with the team a few minutes later.
Otto said, besides the rivalry edge, the league win was big to help pull SLO into the third place position.
“We’re just looking to keep it going,” Otto said. “This one is a huge win. We’re going to keep it going.”
Pulled up to varsity his freshman year, Otto now is in a leadership role and adjusting to some new additions to varsity this year besides returns in Brandow and Crew.
“We had a bunch of seniors leave last year, so we have a good group of up and coming guys,” Otto said. “It has been a journey learning how to lead, going from my freshman year to being a senior now, leading the younger guys. But overall they’ve been doing good. They’ve been adapting, going from the JV level to varsity.”
Arroyo Grande girls fall to Orcutt Academy
In South County, Arroyo Grande hosted Orcutt Academy, falling 68-55.
The Eagles (12-8, 2-2 Mountain) trailed 36-24 at halftime to the Spartans (15-8, 3-1 Mountain League).
Arroyo Grande kicked off the scoring with a slashing bucket from senior Ellie Sloan.
But the size and skill of Orcutt Academy senior Elizabeth Johnson, who tallied 30 points, proved too challenging to overcome.
Arroyo Grande’s next league matchup is Tuesday at home versus St. Joseph.
.jpg "Orcutt at AGHS GBB 2026-01-23_011 (1).jpg")
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 10:00 PM.
%20Cropped.jpg)