Durango defeats Aztec to win Lady Tiger championship

Demons beat Tigers 14-0 in final period to win Rumble in the Jungle title

AZTEC – The Durango High School girls basketball team overcame a close game against Aztec Saturday night at Aztec High’s Lillywhite Gym to become champions of the Lady Tiger Rumble in the Jungle tournament by a 39-27 final.

Aztec, led by junior Jazzlyn Gomez by 11 points and senior Bailey Clarence by nine, scored quickly after receiving the warning as Gomez drove in an easy layup to score two of the six points Aztec scored at the end of the first quarter.

Durango struggled with shots in the first quarter, making only three of 12 from the floor, but managing to tie the game at 6-6 at the end of the period.

Both teams were familiar with each other’s offensive strategies when they faced each other a week earlier at the Marv Sanders Invitational. Aztec’s tight defense limited Durango’s shooting opportunities, while the Demons’ four steals disrupted Aztec’s offensive flow.

Each team responded to the other from the start of the second quarter. Durango found its rhythm offensively, while Aztec had five points on seven free throw attempts. The score was tied at 11-11 in the 6th minute.

Durango took control in the latter half of the second quarter, using strong inside shooting to take a 19-13 halftime lead.

Aztec limited Durango’s Claire Goodwin to six field goal attempts in the first half. In response, Durango adapted to a fast-paced passing game, driving into the paint and sending the ball for outside shooting opportunities, adding eight points in the third quarter.

Aztec broke its silence and rallied late in the third quarter when Khloe Schmidt stole the ball and scored a fast layup. The momentum continued as Aztec converted five of nine shots from the floor to regain the lead with a slim 27-25 advantage at the end of the period.

Both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, with neither team finding the basket in the first three minutes.

The Aztecs’ stout 2-3 defense began to wear down as Durango pushed its quick passing game. Meanwhile, the Demons’ aggressive defense forced several turnovers, converting several of them into points as they closed out the game with a 12-0 run in the final two minutes to secure the tournament championship.

Durango head coach Lauren Moran expected strong defensive performances from her opponents during the tournament. She credited her team for strengthening their own defense, which ultimately helped secure the title.

“Ultimately, the fact that we were able to force (Aztec) to turn the ball over so much allowed us to have more opportunities offensively and make quick counters, which really helped us achieve our run. in the fourth quarter,” Moran said.

The Demons’ 3-0 run in the tournament was fueled by strong performances from Ellie White and Mariah Maestas, both named to the all-tournament team, as well as Goodwin, who was named the Most Valuable Player most useful of the tournament.

Durango reached the tournament championship game after defeating Grants 48-22 in a semifinal victory Friday. The Demons advanced to the second round of the tournament with a 51-29 loss to Wingate.

Goodwin scored 18 points in Durango’s first two games against Wingate and Grants, then added a game-high 15 points in the championship game against Aztec.

“We work really well together,” Goodwin said of the team’s chemistry. “Our coaches have prepared us to call plays to allow me to be open when I’m hot, and if I’m not, then someone else will be.”

Durango 39, Aztec 27 (quarter score)

TEAM	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
Demons	6	13	6	14	39
Tigers	6	7	14	0	27

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