Durango (2-2) came out more aggressive Saturday and attacked the basket off the dribble. After they led 30-19 after one half, the Demons\u2019 lead exploded to as much as 20 points early in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
Haezen Mestas scored 10 second-half points for DHS. Ty Martinez scored seven, as did center Walter Stauffer. Jasper Zastrocky scored six, all in the first quarter. Luke Wesley also had six points in the first half, while Sam Johnson scored six points all in the second half.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good to see the boys put up 71 points. The ball moved much better today than our last two games,\u201d DHS head coach Alan Batiste said. \u201cIf we get guys to become more aggressive, that\u2019s what we are looking for as the season goes on.\u201d<\/p>\n
John T. Carver led the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers (1-2) once again with 19 points. He had a huge third quarter with 10 points. Josh Chupp scored 11 points with three made 3-pointers. Austin Wood scored eight points, all in the second half.<\/p>\n M-CHS head coach Mike Hall was pleased with his team\u2019s play in the second half, as the Panthers scored 35 points after only 19 in the first.<\/p>\n \u201cOur guys got in a bit better of a rhythm,\u201d Hall said. \u201cWe have a couple kids still out, but I liked the intensity and quickness we had in the second half. That\u2019s how we should have played the whole game. They are young and learning how to deal with adversity, but the fourth quarter was a step in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n After losing two in a row on their home floor, Durango felt better after Saturday\u2019s win going into a 5A\/4A Southwestern League opener Tuesday night at Fruita Monument High School.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we get into league, it\u2019s going to be about dealing with pressure defense a lot more than we\u2019ve seen,\u201d Batiste said.<\/p>\n Montezuma-Cortez will open 3A Intermountain League play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Centauri (3-0, 1-0 IML).<\/p>\n \u201cThis league is tough, and you add travel in there and it makes it tougher,\u201d Hall said. \u201cEverybody knows everybody\u2019s tendencies. It\u2019s a fun battle every night, and we look forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n