Wins have been few and far between in a down season for the Durango High School boys basketball team, but the Demons shook off some of their own demons with a 43-41 win against Grand Junction Central in their final home game of the season Saturday at DHS.
The Warriors (8-13, 2-5 5A/4A Southwestern League) mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to get within one point at 41-40 with less than 10 seconds remaining. Durango (4-16, 2-5 SWL) got the ball to Al Hurworth, who drew a foul with 3.5 seconds remaining and went to the line to shoot 1-and-1.
The senior big man missed his first attempt long, but Johnson skied to grab the rebound and put up a shot as time expired to secure the first home victory of the season for the Demons.
“This is amazing. It’s the best feeling in the world,” Johnson said. “Next week we practice in the (auxiliary) gym, so lacing up I thought how this might be the last time I play in this gym.
“We hadn’t won at home all year and we wanted to finish strong. ... We really want to finish strong because this is what you’ll remember. The feelings we have now are the ones that will stay with you.”
Slow starts have been a problem for the Demons all season, and Saturday started in a similar fashion as Durango fell behind 6-0 early. But a 13-2 run put the Demons in front and they never trailed again.
The Demons pushed a 28-20 halftime lead to 33-20 with about five minutes left in the third but went ice cold and didn’t score for the next seven minutes of game time.
“It was a lack of execution in the third quarter,” DHS head coach Alan Batiste said.
“We just got a little comfortable. That’s the biggest lead we’ve had all season. This group is still learning different aspects of the game and that’s the first time we’ve played with a lead.”
Johnson, who had to run back to the locker room right before the opening tipoff because he forgot to put on his jersey, finished with 21 points.
Hurworth finished with 10 points and Cullen Robinette added eight points.
DHS will play Tuesday at Pagosa Springs (12-5).
Girls basketball
Girls basketballIt was an instant classic when the Durango and Grand Junction Central girls basketball teams met last month in Grand Junction, and the sequel was just as good, especially for the Demons.
The Demons erased a 34-27 deficit with 4 minutes, 30 seconds remaining to snag a 43-39 victory that secured second place in the 5A/4A Southwestern League Saturday afternoon at DHS.
“It’s crazy. We were 1-9 to start the season and I’m super proud of everybody for all the work we’ve done in practice,” DHS senior captain Brett Rowland said.
“It’s crazy that we’ve made it this far, and I’m so proud of each and every one of the girls.”
The game was tight the whole way and the Warriors (9-13, 1-6 SWL) held a 19-16 halftime lead.
Central maintained the three-point cushion and had a 28-25 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Durango’s Hilda Garcia hit a 3 from the left wing that got the Demons (10-11, 5-2 SWL) within one point at 36-35, then Rowland came away with a steal near midcourt and took it to the basket for a layup and a 37-36 lead with 1:30 remaining.
Central tied the game at 37 after making 1-of-2 free throws, and on the Demons’ next possession, Rowland knocked down a midrange jumper that gave Durango a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Garcia and freshman Maddy McManus led DHS with nine points apiece. Rowland finished with eight points, five of which came in the final two minutes.
Durango will go on the road Thursday to face Montrose (10-11, 3-4 SWL).
kschneider@durangoherald.com
