The Durango High School boys basketball team needed a wakeup call Tuesday in Telluride.
Durango got into an 18-4 hole early, but defense sparked the Demons past the Miners for a 73-40 victory.
Anthony Flint led the way for Durango (8-6), as he scored 27 points. DHS head coach Alan Batiste said no other Demons scored in double figures, as everyone on the floor contributed and the bench came up with big points, too.
“We came out sluggish,” Batiste said. “Once we woke up, we didn’t let off the gas pedal. Our defense was basically our offense once we decided to wake up.”
Batiste said the defensive focus was also a total team effort. He challenged the team at halftime to keep Telluride (3-6) under 50 points.
“They only got 40, so that was good,” Batiste said.
Now, the Demons will prepare for 5A/4A Southwestern League play, which will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at home against rival Montrose (10-3).
“They will be by far the best team we’ve played since the season started,” Batiste said. “They’re a good team with great chemistry and shooters we have to worry about. It’s a doable game, and I’m excited to be at home off the bat and not on the road.”
The Durango High School girls basketball team got back after it Tuesday at Telluride, as three Demons reached double digits in a 59-14 win.
Durango (8-6) was led by Brenna Wolf with 13 points. Kyle Rowland had 11 and Mason Rowland added 10.
“It was a good game to get ready before we begin league,” said DHS head coach Tim Fitzpatrick.
Durango got out to an early 16-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second, the Demons continued to find easy baskets, as they extended the lead to 22-0 and 30-2 with just over one minute remaining in the first half. Durango led 32-6 at halftime, as the Miners (3-5) struggled against the Durango defense.
The Demons will open league play against Montrose (11-2) at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Durango High School. The Demons beat Montrose 35-33 at Aztec’s Rumble in the Jungle on Jan. 4.
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