Al Hurworth vividly remembers how he got his nickname.
“The first time somebody called me ‘Big Al’ was in tee-ball, and it’s stayed with me ever since,” Hurworth said.
The senior forward for the Durango High School boys basketball team has lived up to his nickname, as he has provided the spark to lift the Demons from a four-game losing streak to an emphatic five-game winning streak, all within the first month of the season.
DHS (7-4) is led by Hurworth and fellow senior Cullen Robinette, who have propelled the Demons in scoring with a matching 11.6 points per game – the next closest, Martin Cuntz, has 4.6 per game.
“It’s been a great first half so far,” Hurworth said. “But we know this is just the beginning, and I feel that if we can keep it up, we can be dangerous later in the season.”
Despite the two-man offensive show on paper, Hurworth said it’s anything but. He said the balance is much better than last year when the team won only four games, or during the four-game losing streak earlier this season.
“That was horrible earlier in the year with the losing streak,” Hurworth said. “I mean, it’s hard to lose that many games and come out the next day and play a better team. It was hard to get the momentum back, and, last year, we were never able to really get out of that patch of when we were down about finding ways to bounce back. But this year, we’re a new team, and it’s good to have that feeling again of winning consistently.”
Demons head coach Alan Batiste said he and his staff went back to the drawing board after the four-game skid because he didn’t want the season to take a tailspin and turn into one similar to last year.
“Really, we just went back to a clear and structured offense,” Batiste said. “Given our personalities on this team, it’ll work. It paid off.
“We were in a dark spot back about two weeks ago, and I saw the alarm bells start to go off just a little bit. But the boys are talented enough and mentally tough enough to keep pushing through the adversities. From losing four games to winning five has been excellent.”
Batiste said part of simplifying the game meant changing Hurworth’s role on offense.
“He’s a hard worker and has gotten his points off of that hard work,” Batiste said. “Al has been big for us during this stretch and really showed how a captain can help lift a team up. He comes to the gym and works and is always willing to do more.”
Hurworth, son of Jill and Rick, also does plenty on the defensive side of the ball. He leads the team in both rebounds per game (5.6) and blocked shots (0.2).
“We’ve used our defense to fuel our offense all year,” Hurworth said. “I mean, it’s really important for us because if we’re lacking on defense, it’s hard to build that momentum on the other end of the floor, so we’ve done a lot on defense and maintaining that backside help and post help has been huge for us.”
The Demons know they will be tested after the holiday break. Durango will take on Montezuma-Cortez and Bayfield in the Southwest Classic to start 2019 and then will see tough competition in 5A/4A Southwestern League action, especially against Fruita Monument and Grand Junction Central.
“We know how challenging the conference is going to be this year, but I think we can surprise some teams,” Hurworth said. “From top to bottom, I feel like there are no true teams that blow you out of the water, and while they are good, we’re up there as well and will definitely be gearing toward a strong start.”
bploen@durangoherald.com
Behind the Scenes
What is your nickname?:
Big Al
If you could have any superpower, what would you pick?:
Super strength – something like the Hulk.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?:
I’d go to Russia because I was born there.
Who is your favorite athlete?:
Nolan Arenado, Rockies third baseman
What is your dream car?:
My 2004 Jeep
What is your favorite local restaurant?:
Kassidy’s Kitchen, right down the road. They’ve got great breakfast.
Which teacher has had the Greatest impact on you?:
Miss Tara Haller, my math and computer science teacher at DHS.
Who is your role model?:
My parents.
