It didn’t take long for the Durango High School boys basketball team to notch its first big win of the 2015-2016 season.
The Demons are in Farmington for the annual Marv Sanders Basketball Invitational, and the only team from Colorado represented the state well in the opening round. The Demons fought all the way back from a 16-point first-quarter deficit to beat back-to-back tournament champion and fifth-ranked team in New Mexico’s Class 6A, Cleveland High School, 73-64 in overtime.
Four players finished in double-figures for Durango (3-1). Senior point guard Terrence Trujillo’s 23 points led the way. Fellow senior Lucas Baken finished with 16, Orion Clay had 14 and Scott Morris finished with 10.
“I’m really proud of our guys because we beat a really good 6A team,” said Durango head coach Alan Batiste. “We showed a lot of poise, great leadership and when times got tough, we didn’t panic.”
In overtime, Durango outscored Cleveland 17 to 8 en route to the nine-point win.
The 16-point first-quarter deficit was trimmed to nine by halftime and the Demons kept at it. They cut the Cleveland lead to five by the end of the third quarter and continued to push the pace in what was a physical game.
The Demons clawed their way back and forced overtime after the buzzer sounded with the teams locked up at 56.
“We just kept telling them, ‘Help the guy next to you,’ and that’s what we did,” Batiste said. “Our starters shared the ball, and our bench players stepped up when we needed them to provide a spark. The overall team effort was special.”
The depth and the grit displayed by Durango was too much for Cleveland in overtime. The Demons had captured the momentum and never let up, delivering Cleveland High School its first loss of the season.
Next up for Durango in the Marv Sanders Invitational will be host Farmington High School. The Scorpions dismantled Fabens High School of El Paso, Texas, in the first round Thursday.
“It looks like we’re getting in basketball shape and the football guys are getting their feet under them again,” Batiste said. “I’m happy for these boys, but we won’t let up. We still have a job to do.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
