If the first weekend of Southwestern League play is any indication, Durango’s conference foes have already had enough of Demons guard Katrina Chandler.
Chandler scored 22 of her game-high 30 points in the first half, and the Demons never trailed in a 51-42 win against Grand Junction Central. Taylor Edwards had 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and came away with three steals in the win. Durango swept the Grand Junction teams in a successful opening weekend of league play.
“I’m really proud of the girls and the effort they gave this weekend,” said Durango head coach Tim Fitzpatrick. “We’re 2-0 and everyone is contributing, so if we can keep working hard and improving at both ends of the floor, we’ll be alright.”
Chandler and the Demons were quite alright from the opening tip on Saturday.
Durango (9-2, 2-0 SWL) started the game on a 9-2 run and pushed the pace in the first half. Chandler made layups, mid-range jumpers, a 3-pointer and was 7-for-10 from the foul line. Her 22 first-half points and a stifling defensive effort led to a nine point Durango lead at the half.
“We knew they had a tough night (Friday night) so we wanted to really come out and take it to them at the start,” said Chandler, daughter of Klint and Rebecca Chandler. “It’s a commitment thing with us, and it doesn’t matter what time we play or who we’re playing against, we’re going to come at you.”
Grand Junction Central (6-10, 0-1 SWL) fought back, however, and cut the Durango lead down to four in the second half. That’s when Edwards came alive.
“Taylor Edwards played very well (Saturday), and she’s capable of that every time she’s on the floor,” Fitzpatrick said. “She usually draws the other team’s best post defender, and she really stepped up.”
The junior forward had eight of her 12 points in the final quarter and did damage on both ends of the floor. When the lead was cut to four, Durango responded by going on a 11-2 run and the lead swelled back to double digits. The Warriors fought back again and got to within six, but time ran out on one final comeback.
“We all came out and tried to keep the energy up because it can be tough at noon,” said Edwards, daughter of Chantel and Shawn Edwards. “They had some good low post players, but I tried to get in the right position down there and that helped a lot.”
Grand Junction Central’s Cassidy Bryant was tough in the post and led the Warriors with 12 points and sex rebounds. Jodeci Toomalatai added nine points in the loss.
“Our girls play hard; they’re competitive and they fight, so I’m proud of how they stayed in this one,” said Warriors head coach Mary Doane. “Chandler really escalates the play of her teammates, and it was hard to make a run with her doing what she was doing.”
Next up for Durango is a game at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Montezuma-Cortez.
jfries@durangoherald.com
