It was a game of opposites when comparing the Durango girls and boys basketball games Friday night at Palisade.
The girls got out to an awful start against Palisade’s 1-3-1 defense and trailed 12-1 after the first quarter. The Demons began scoring and tried to battle back but lost 38-27.
On the other hand, the boys got off to a great start and led all three quarters and were ahead 42-32 headed into the fourth. But disaster struck and the Demons could only score one point in the fourth and lost 55-43 Friday night at Palisade.
Both Durango teams fell to 8-9 overall and remained at 1-3 in the 6A/5A Southwestern League because Palisade is not in the same league.
“We executed that first half and played really well in the first half,” Durango boys head coach Alan Batiste said. “We knew they were going to go on a run. We were getting shots but they weren't as fluid as the first half was with us moving the ball and sharing the basketball. We got a little stagnant on offense, but we were still getting shots and we just did not make a shot. We couldn't make a shot in third quarter and that's when they cut that lead but we were still up 10 with three minutes ago in the third. Then we still just couldn't make a shot in the fourth.”
Junior guard Noah Miles led the Demons boys squad with 15 points in the loss. Senior center Jacob Neubert and junior forward Marcus Cullum each had eight points as well.
“We're just trying to get him to where he can get in rhythm,” Batiste said. “A lot of times he wants to shoot that three with his first shot. But when he's able to get downhill and get into the paint and score that layup and start working his way out there, those threes start coming into play. He's playing with a lot of confidence and his defense is stepping up as well.”
Junior guard Mariah Maestas led the Demons girls team with 11 points. Freshman Jaelyn Alston had seven points as well for Durango.
Demons girls head coach Lauren Moran said she knows her current team of healthy players is improving quickly with more playing time available with numerous starters out with injuries.
Both Durango basketball teams play tomorrow at Glenwood Springs. The girls play at noon and the boys play at 1:30 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
