The Durango High School basketball team is finding its stride at an ideal time.

The Demons punched their ticket to the CHSAA Class 4A state tournament with a win Thursday in the first round of the Class 4A Southwestern League/Western Slope League tournament, and they advanced to the tournament title game with a 51-37 win against Glenwood Springs in the tournament semifinals.

The two wins are big for DHS, which improved to 10-12 overall.

“It gives the guys their confidence back. We’re 2-0 now, and we can’t think about the past and what happened earlier this year,” DHS head coach Alan Batiste said. “It’s postseason time now, and we’re getting it going. I’m excited for the boys, but the job is not done yet.”

DHS will play Montrose in the championship game. Montrose has defeated DHS in two previous meetings this season 54-48 and 49-40 just a week ago in Durango.

“We have to be more disciplined with them. They slowed us down last weekend and we rushed quick shots,” Batiste said. “We’re expecting them to play solid defense, but we’ll be ready.”

DHS was led by Nate Atencio’s 14 points Friday. Lucas Baken added eight points. Caleb Kennedy scored six points and had 12 rebounds, even while playing with a broken hand.

“Caleb had an outstanding game. He was tough and competed,” Batiste said.

DHS was up 21-18 at halftime and fell into a defensive rhythm the second half. The Demons made it tough for Glenwood Springs to score inside, and offensively, DHS spread the floor and found ways to drive to the basket.

“We didn’t settle for 3s like we have a lot of times this season,” Batiste said.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com