The Durango High School boys basketball team needed a win for a chance to make the Class 4A state playoffs. On the road Saturday in Grand Junction, the Demons delivered.
Anthony Flint got a late basket and a free throw to break a 48-48 tie, and the Demons held off the Grand Junction Central Warriors for a 51-48 win Saturday to finish the regular season 7-7 overall and 3-5 in the 5A/4A Southwestern League.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for DHS and came one night after a tough 61-30 defeat at Montrose.
“It just feels good to get off our losing streak,” DHS head coach Alan Batiste said. “That was the first thing. Ending the year with a win always helps. Getting back to .500 also helps. As far as the playoffs, it gives us a real chance to sneak in there.”
DHS entered the day 30th in the CHSAA RPI standings and 29th in the MaxPreps rankings. Those paired with the season’s final coaches poll determine playoff seeding for the state bracket, which will be released Monday. This year’s bracket is reduced to 32 teams because of a format change caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the delayed start to the seven-week season.
“I hope we get rewarded after winning a tight game,” Batiste said. “Usually, three or four Western Slope teams make this tournament. We will see.”
Flint finished with 14 points, as did Sam Johnson, who did all of his damage in the second half after he picked up three quick fouls in the first and had to sit on the bench. Walter Stauffer added seven points for DHS.
“Ty Martinez and Sam Johnson sparked our defense by getting steals and into the open floor,” Batiste said. “When we get multiple guys stepping up and we can play fast, there are a lot of teams we can compete with.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
