The Maryvale High School boys basketball team survived a second half surge from Durango Friday afternoon, defeating the Demons 68-60 to advance to the Marv Sanders championship game Saturday night.
Durango trimmed a 16-point deficit down to 8 heading into the final period of play thanks to the performance of senior Noah Miles who scored 16 points in the second half.
Maryvale junior Adrian Stubbs proved to be the difference in stopping a Durango comeback. Any momentum that Miles shoveled up for the Demons was quickly filled in by Stubbs either through a free throw or driving the ball to the glass.
Stubbs scored 13 points in the fourth period alone while scoring an impressive 34 points in the game. It was the second time that Stubbs has posted 30 points in a game during the tournament.
“We’re a defensive-oriented team, our defense ignites our offense. We came out with a lot of tenacity and that showed by evidence in the score and the energy from our guys,” Maryvale head coach Jeremy Smith said. “The altitude played a factor and conditioning. There’s no reason why we should’ve let (Durango) back into that.”
After a dominant start to the game by Maryvale that saw all five starters for the Panthers score in the first period, a lull by the Panthers offense followed for the next two periods.
The Demons took advantage of the stall of Panther points in the third period, outscoring Maryvale 20-12.
Durango’s offense found its confidence behind Miles’ ability to connect on the 3-pointers, and senior Otto Aalland’s determination to cause pressure to Maryvale’s ball handlers.
Fouls were Durango’s worst enemy Friday afternoon, getting into the bonus foul rule three straight periods, allowing Maryvale to get enough free points to maintain its lead.
Maryvale isn’t a stranger to the Marv Sanders Invitational, making a championship appearance last year, losing to the Scorpions by a final of 47-39.
“We have to play smart. Last time (Stubbs) got two fouls in the first minute of the game and that flattened us out because he’s our motor, and when you don’t have your motor for three and half quarters, that hurts you,” Smith said. “We can’t allow us to force the issue and be more prepared.”
For Durango, it faced Canon City on Saturday for third place at 2:30 p.m. at the Scorpion Arena.
Demon domination:
The Durango girls basketball team bounced back from its tough overtime loss against Volcano Vista in dominant fashion. The Demons beat Maryvale on Friday 54-2. No other stats were available from the game. Durango improved to 2-2 overall after the win while Maryvale fell to 0-6 with the loss.
