For the second year in a row, the Durango High School girls basketball team had to overcome a fire alarm and an opponent in Pueblo.
The Demons opened the 2015-16 season Thursday night at the Pueblo County Lady Hornets Holiday Tournament. Before facing tournament host Pueblo County at 8 p.m., a fire alarm sounded, and the building had to be evacuated. The same thing happened last season in the second round of the same tournament that Durango went on to win.
DHS opened its tournament title defense with a 41-21 victory against Pueblo County despite shooting 12-of-48 from the field.
“I was beginning to wonder how things would go in Pueblo after another fire alarm went off,” DHS head coach Tim Fitzpatrick said. “This one was not as long as the one last year, though.”
Fitzpatrick said he could tell it was his team’s first game of the seasn because of the rusty shooting, but strong defense that became the team’s staple a season ago helped lead the way for a 20-point win.
Junior guard Katrina Chandler also established herself with 20 points with 15 coming in the second half and 12 in the third quarter.
“She took over in the second half,” Fitzpatrick said.
Taylor Edwards was less than 100 percent but finished with eight points for the Demons. Shilo Gillen added four points.
Fitzpatrick also singled out the play of Stephanie Bayse for her strong defensive play and rebounding.
“I feel good getting a convincing win like this,” Fitzpatrick said. “The kids are a bit disappointed in the way they played, but we’ll take a win.”
DHS is back in action against Widefield at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The Demons then will play two games Saturday in hopes of repeating as tournament champions.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
