The faces change.
The roles change.
But the philosophy remains largely the same.
The Durango High School girls basketball team still likes to push tempo whenever possible. The Demons still pressure the ball and trap as often as possible. They still like to get into the lane via the dribble or feed into the post on offense.
They’re just hoping to take the next step in the level at which they execute.
The Demons are coming off a 13-10 season that saw them make the Class 4A playoffs before falling in the first round. Now, in head coach Nancy Smith’s second full season, they’ll try and take it further.
DHS got its first look against outside competition during Friday’s scrimmage with Bayfield and Ignacio, and by the time the second set of 20-minute, running-clock periods against both teams rolled around, the Demons were much sharper, trimming turnovers and beginning to apply their defense in the manner in which they’re accustomed.
“It’s a lot of fun to finally get to play somebody else and test yourself and see what works and what doesn’t,” Smith said. “We have a lot of very talented players, and so this is an opportunity for us to have a chance for them to work together.”
The Demons lost four to graduation and will be without Jessi Sigillito, who’s currently in France, until midseason and will be without Nona Patcheck because of an injury. But Durango should have the kind of depth it needs to hold the fort, particularly at guard.
The ability of freshman Katrina Chandler – the daughter of former DHS head coach Klint Chandler – and Emily Fogel to handle most of the duties at the point guard position, alongside Sigillito, will allow Smith to let Jenny Welbourn and Katie Wiegert to play perhaps a more natural shooting guard position alongside fellow returner Augusta Brockus.
It also allows for liberal substitutions, key for a system that puts emphasis on pushing the ball in transition.
“We’re definitely a very guard-oriented team,” said forward Emily McCue, daughter of Frank and Julie McCue. “We have a lot of speed, and so we’ll try and use that to our advantage this year and try and run the floor.”
McCue, a senior who’s been a member of varsity since her freshman year, still figures to be a focal point on both sides of the ball. The 5-11 forward is capable in the post, can step out and hit a jumper and can play at the top of a zone defense should Durango opt to use one.
“She’s a fantastic player. ... She’s worked really, really hard in the offseason to make herself a player at every position,” Smith said.
Joining McCue in the frontcourt will be Stephanie Basye, Kaitlyn Doughty, Danica Dudley and Patcheck.
Now it’s just a matter of bringing the pieces together as a unit, which should cut down on some of those turnovers.
“I think we’re coming together,” McCue said. “We’re definitely working out some kinks right now, but hopefully things will start falling into place soon.”
rowens@durangoherald.com
