Free throws helped the Durango Demons turn some heads in Grand Junction.
Playing in the consolation bracket of the Class 4A Southwestern League/Western Slope League District Tournament, the No. 8 Durango Demons’ girls basketball team faced tough competition in No. 4 Eagle Valley on Friday at Palisade High School.
Helped by Katrina Chandler’s 10 points from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, the Demons (8-12) earned a 59-47 upset victory against the Eagle Valley Devils (12-10).
“It feels wonderful. I think we surprised some people,” DHS head coach Nancy Smith said. “Especially because we were seeded eighth.”
DHS senior forward Emily McCue led Durango with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
DHS junior guard Katie Wiegert added another 11 points.
Chandler, a DHS sophomore, had seven assists to go with her 10 points.
Durango shot out to a 10-point lead early in the game thanks to steals and breakaway layups. Eagle Valley made some adjustments to slow the Demons, but Durango hit a few key jump shots to carry a nice lead into the fourth quarter.
“We pulled away on free throws in the fourth quarter,” Smith said. “(Eagle Valley) pressed us and fouled a lot. The girls were poised and knocked down their shots.”
Durango fell to the consolation bracket after a 74-43 loss to No. 1 Glenwood Springs in the first round of the tournament.
The Demons will face No. 6 Steamboat Springs (12-10) in the fifth-place game at 10 a.m. Saturday. Steamboat Springs defeated No. 7 Delta 43-39 on Friday.
“We are excited for the opportunity, and we hope to come out and play with energy and surprise some more people,” Smith said. “I think beating (Eagle Valley) means we have a spot in the state tournament. That fifth-place game will play in to how they seed us in the state tournament next week.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
Class 4A SWL/WSL District Tournament
Southwestern League/ Western Slope League
Feb. 20-22 at Grand Junction
Thursday, Feb. 20
No. 1 Glenwood Springs 74, No. 8 Durango 43
No. 2 Palisade 41, No. 7 Delta 21
No. 3 Montrose 42, No. 6 Steamboat Springs 39
No. 5 Rifle 52, No. 4 Eagle Valley 33
Friday, Feb. 21
No. 1 Glenwood Springs 43, No. 5 Rifle 29
No. 3 Montrose 30, No. 2 Palisade 27
Consolation
No. 6 Steamboat Springs 43, No. 7 Delta 39
No. 8 Durango 59, No. 4 Eagle Valley 47
Saturday, Feb. 22
Championship
No. 1 Glenwood Springs (21-1) vs. No. 3 Montrose (15-7), at Colorado Mesa, 10 a.m.
Consolation Championship
No. 6 Steamboat Springs (12-10) vs. No. 8 Durango (8-12), at Palisade, 10 a.m. (KDGO 1240 AM)
Third-place Game
No. 2 Palisade (14-8) vs. No. 5 Rifle (10-10), at Palisade, 1 p.m.
Durango Herald
