Playing in a pressure-packed championship game was everything the Durango Demons needed to experience before the start of the state tournament.
The Durango High School boys basketball team elevated its game for the occasion, too.
The Demons gave rival Montrose a run for its money in the championship game of the Southwestern League/Western Slop League Class 4A tournament at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, but the Indians had enough to finish off a season sweep of the Demons with a 64-50 victory.
The game was close throughout with Montrose (14-9) pulling away in the final 4 minutes of the game. It was one of the better all-around games the Demons (10-13) have played all season.
“We deserved to be in this game. We missed a few shots, but we played well,” DHS head coach Alan Batiste said. “Montrose is a solid team. They’re physical, and we respect them a lot. We had won five in a row against them, but they had our number this year. We wish them the best of luck at state.”
DHS also will compete in the state tournament thanks to finishing in the top four at the tournament this weekend. DHS picked up wins against Palisade and Glenwood Springs in the first two rounds.
The Demons never could fully recover from a 21-8 first-quarter deficit Saturday, but they rallied to cut the Indians’ lead to 31-25 at halftime.
Josue Perez led the Indians with 17 points. Arjun Singh added 15, Kyle Freeburg scored 13 and Cole Auker scored 11 for the well-rounded Indians.
Lucas Baken was sensational for DHS with a game-high 18 points. Terrence Trujillo added 11 points, and Nate Atencio scored nine for DHS.
DHS was happy to gain more experience and confidence going into the first round of the CHSAA Class 4A state tournament Friday. DHS will find out where it plays and against who when brackets are released Sunday. Batiste expects his team to be in Pueblo East’s regional.
“We needed to get confidence going into next Friday, and we did that. We do need to tweak some things, but we’ll do that and be ready to go,” Batiste said. “Being in this environment, the big stage, it helps a lot going into next week. We have to be ready for the top teams now, and we’ll meet the challenge.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
