The Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 4A State Basketball Tournament brackets were released on Sunday, and the Durango High School boys and girls basketball teams found themselves in similar positions.
Both the boys and girls drew No. 4 seeds, and if they win against their first-round opponents, they’ll both be up against No. 1 seeds in the second round.
The girls open against Air Academy (13-10) and a win will set up a matchup with a No. 1-seeded Sand Creek (21-1) team sporting a 21-game winning streak. The Durango boys will play Mountain View (15-8) of Loveland in the opening round. If the Demons (16-7) win, they’ll most likely face the No. 1 seed and host Pueblo West (20-3) in the second round.
“We thought we’d be a three or four seed, and I think the score of our last game hurt us a bit even though we won,” Durango head coach Alan Batiste said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “We’re going to play tough teams regardless of who we’re up against from here on out, but I think we’re peaking at the right time.”
The Durango boys have won six of their last seven games and won its second district title in four years on Saturday with a win against Rifle. In the three district games, Durango proved it can win any style of game.
The Demons combined to score 150 points in two wins leading up to the district championship game. In the final against Rifle, the defense forced a number of turnovers down the stretch and made just enough baskets to grind out a 29-26 win.
The task at hand, Mountain View, has won nine of its last 10 games, and if the Demons plan on winning, they’ll need to stop Mountain Lions’ point guard Jose Orrantia. The senior averages 17.7 points per game and scored 35 and 37 points in games this season.
Durango High School’s girls team also drew a No. 4 seed and will be playing Air Academy for the second time this season in Friday’s opening round matchup at Sand Creek High School.
The two teams met way back in December for the title in the Lady Hornet Holiday Tournament. Katrina Chandler scored 15 points as Durango (15-7) came out on top 33-22 to take the trophy. The Kadets (13-10) have lost four of their last five games.
“Air Academy has some size and good shooters on the perimeter, so we need to be aggressive on defense,” Durango head coach Tim Fitzpatrick said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “I’m happy with the seed we got. I thought the best we could do would be four after last weekend.”
The girls took third place in the CHSAA 4A Southwestern/Western Slope League district tournament over the weekend.
The Demons rolled to a 48-23 win in the opening round against Delta and led by eight in the semifinal, but a nightmare fourth quarter allowed the eventual tournament champion Palisade comeback and win 36-30.
The Demons bounced back to win Saturday’s third place game 40-32 after trailing at halftime.
Both teams will open tournament play on Friday. The start times will be announced later in the week.
jfries@durangoherald.com
