The Durango High School boys basketball team is off to a perfect 3-0 start, and senior sharpshooter Kyle Kirkpatrick is leading the way.
Kirkpatrick was named to the Shiprock Tournament’s All-Tournament team after leading Durango with 26 points in a win against Window Rock. He followed up with double-figures in the next two games en route to earning tournament honors.
Though he’s comfortable leading the way for his team, Kirkpatrick knows he can’t carry the team alone, and he’s confident that the most impressive aspect of this year’s Durango squad is just that - the willingness to work together.
“Something feels kind of different this year and that’s how well we’re playing as a team,” said Kirkpatrick, son of Carrie and Travis Kirkpatrick. “We’re going to work together and support each other no matter what happens out there. If someone is doing something right, or even if they’re doing it wrong, we’re still going to support each other and that’ll give us the chance to do something really special.”
As a junior, Kirkpatrick was fifth on the Demons in scoring and shot 33 percent from 3-point range. Last year’s Durango team was loaded with seniors and getting open shots was difficult at times with all the shooters on the team. In the 26-point effort against Window Rock, the guard showed his stroke by burying five 3-pointers in the five-point win.
“I took a lot of shots in the offseason and dribbled like crazy,” he said. “The core of this team has been playing together since grade school, so I’m not about to take time off and let anyone down. We might not have that stud that’s going to drop 30 points a game, but if we play team basketball, we can make it to state.”
With a 4.13 grade point average, the next level of academia shouldn’t be an issue for the self-proclaimed computer nerd. However, he’s holding out hope that he can continue to play the game he loves most at the next level while most likely pursuing a career in computer science.
Kirkpatrick also played golf for Durango High School in the fall. When he’s not on the court, the course, or in the library studying, you can probably find him playing some sort of video game like most modern teens do.
With a work ethic like the one he has, and a grade point average to back it up, a few hours of Skyrim here and there to blow off some steam can’t hurt.
“I’m really trying to learn how to be a hard worker and get better at whatever I’m trying to work on,” he said. “I’m just a short, hardworking kid that likes to shoot 3s and hang out with my friends.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
Who is your favorite athlete?:
Stephen Curry
What is your favorite sports movie?:
Space Jam
Where is your favorite vacation spot?:
Casa Grande, Arizona with my grandparents.
What place do you want to visit one day?:
Hawaii
Where is the worst place to play?:
Probably Fruita. The students always count the misses in pregame out loud. It’s a tough place to play.
What is your dream job?:
Maybe an NBA mascot or a blimp driver.
What teacher had a great impact on you?:
Ms. Haller, she’s been my DHS math teacher for awhile.
What is your favorite video game?:
Skyrim for PC
Who is your celebrity crush?:
Ariana Grande
What is the best restaurant in town?:
I just like going to Applebee’s.
