The intense annual matchup between Durango High School and Montezuma-Cortez didn’t lack any of the usual competitiveness Tuesday.
In a closely-played game throughout, the two teams lit up the scoreboard with Durango’s boys basketball team claiming a 77-66 win in Cortez.
Orion Clay scored 23 points in the win for DHS despite only taking six shots. He went 11-of-11 from the free-throw line.
“It was a rivalry game and intense, so we had to grind it out,” DHS head coach Alan Batiste said. “They shot lights out int he first half.”
Montezuma-Cortez (3-10, 0-3 4A/5A Southwestern League) hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter and scored at will when penetrating to the basket, too. But the Demons (9-4, 2-1 SWL) adjusted in the second half and built a 13-point lead in the third quarter.
Scott Morse was key in that with 16 points, helping out big when Clay got in a bit of foul trouble. Lucas Baken also rose to the occasion with 18 points, and Batiste said senior guard Terrence Trujillo helped run the offense in transition and set teammates up with beautiful passes.
DHS has a tough stretch ahead this weekend with a trip to Fruita Monument on Friday and Montrose on Saturday.
“Fruita is big and tough, and they pack the gym,” Batiste said. “They’ve got a big guy going to Air Force to play Division I, so we will have our hands full.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
