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Durango boys basketball looks to compete with fast, young team

Published

21 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Demons lost six seniors from last year’s playoff team

King Kerlin of Durango High School splits the Montezuma-Cortez High School defense on Jan. 7 at DHS. Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

“I am speed” is a quote credited to Lightning McQueen in the “Cars” movie series, but the Durango High School boys basketball team might steal that quote away from McQueen this season.

After finishing last season 14-11 overall after losing in the Sweet 16 of the 5A state playoffs and 4-6 in the 6A/5A Southwestern League, Durango lost six seniors.

However, the returners and newcomers are hungry to continue the success from last season, with a fast pace and athletic team.

“I’m excited with this group,” Durango head coach Alan Batiste said. “We put the majority of them together during the summer and we’re a young group, we have no seniors this year … but they’re a determined group and … they’re a little hungry to get something done and prove people wrong.”

Durango lost leading scorer Noah Miles, who led the team last season at 14.6 points per game, second-leading scorer Marcus Cullum (8.8 PPG) and fourth-leading senior forward Otto Aaland (5.3 PPG).

Miles was a multiyear contributor at the varsity level and the team’s leader last season. He could score from all three levels with his high release on his jump shot, and he was a clutch player, highlighted by his 3-pointer buzzer beater against Rampart in the second round of the 5A state playoffs last season.

Cullum was a scrappy and strong player who was a quality defender and also had a presence inside with his rebounding. Aaland was a lanky forward who could stretch the floor and block some shots.

After losing so much production, Batiste said the team prepped in the summer by playing in Phoenix, Tucson and in the local Fort Lewis College and Colorado Mesa University camps. The team started practicing on Nov. 17.

This year, Demons will be led by junior guard King Kerlin, who averaged 8.5 PPG. Kerlin is an athletic guard with a tight handle who can get to the rim, distribute and hit an outside shot. A big key for Kerlin will be to play more in control and not turn the ball over after leading the team in turnovers last season.

Batiste said he’ll rely on Kerlin to be a leader as it’s his third year on varsity, and the Demons have no seniors.

The only other returner who saw significant time on the team last season is sophomore guard Taj Batiste. The head coach’s son, Taj played with his father’s old AAU team in the summer. Taj flashed his talent at times last season as a freshman ball handler, and he knows he’ll have to step up after the loss in production from last year’s team.

Taj Batiste of Durango High School steals the ball while playing Montezuma-Cortez High School on Jan. 7 at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

Batiste expects a big group of role players to step up from the junior varsity level, including junior Boaz Zastrocky and sophomores Jude Alderton and Tyler Hoerl. Batiste knows his complementary players will do what’s best for the team.

Since the Demons will be smaller, Batiste said they’ll rely on getting out in transition out of their defense and using their speed.

“We’ll still run an offense similar to last year, where it was four out, one in and five out, but we’re just much faster,” Batiste said. “We’re running with the ball. A motto I told them the other night was that we’re always on offense because we’re just going to turn up a lot of teams on defensively and go and try to get the bucket as fast as we can.”

Durango will have a similar schedule to last year, with nonleague tournaments in Farmington, Aztec and Canon City. In league play, Fruita Monument is expected to be the favorite after finishing 10-0 in the 6A/5A Southwestern League and 20-5 overall.

The Demons have a young roster, with no seniors and no freshmen. Batiste likes the chemistry he’s seen in practice so far. Even with a lot of inexperienced players at the varsity level, Batiste didn’t want to call this a rebuilding year.

“We’re young,” Batiste said. “But we have all basketball players, so that’s been one thing that I’ve been fortunate enough to have only a couple of years in my 16-year career. We’re young … but they’re hungry to go through something … they’re going to make young mistakes, they’re still going to play hard, and that’s what they’ve displayed so far.”

bkelly@durangoherald.com

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Qatar launches ‘Aim Beyond’ project to empower youth through sport | PRESS-RELEASES

Published

6 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Partnership with World Athletics includes construction of 11 running tracks in 11 countries around the world

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), in partnership with World Athletics and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has launched ‘Aim Beyond’ – a project that aims to empower youth and underserved communities through the transformative power of sport.

As part of the project, 11 state-of-the-art, eco-friendly and inclusive running tracks will be constructed across 11 countries around the world, in Anguilla, Burundi, Cook Islands, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Palestine, Panama, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Ukraine.

The project reflects Qatar’s deep belief in the power of sport to promote sustainable development, peace and social cohesion. It also underscores the country’s determination to transform sporting legacy into a tangible tool for positive change in the lives of youth and communities.

The tracks to be built are distinguished by their inclusivity, accommodating the needs of athletes with disabilities, and by their sustainability, using eco-friendly materials. The new tracks will also serve as community hubs that promote the values of sporting excellence and strengthen young athletes’ sense of belonging to their communities.

“In many communities around the world, athletic talent is abundant, but facilities are not – and that’s where Aim Beyond makes its mark,” said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, who attended the signing ceremony for the project in Doha on Monday (8). “Partnerships drive our mission to make athletics accessible and inspiring for all, and the collaboration between World Athletics, QOC and QFFD is exactly the kind of strategic, human-centred teamwork our sport needs.

“Together, we are strengthening infrastructure for our Member Federations, opening doors that many young athletes have never been able to walk through, and ensuring the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships continues to reach well beyond Qatar.

“My sincere thank you to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, whose vision and commitment to athletics are helping to shape the future of our sport. Our sport owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.”

The announcement of the project came pursuant to the agreement signed by the QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and the QFFD Director General Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, held from 6-8 December under the theme ‘Diplomacy, Dialogue and Diversity’.

H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said: “Aim Beyond is an ambitious project to create a world where every aspiring athlete has access to facilities to aim beyond their limits. Just as Doha 2019 allowed Qatar to aim beyond its limits in pursuit of its ultimate dream, so too will this project create opportunities for young athletes to reach their full potential.

“We are proud that through this ambitious project, the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships will continue to shape the future of athletics – transcending borders and serving as a symbol of commitment, hope and opportunity.”

Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti said: “At Qatar Fund for Development, we firmly believe that sport is a transformative catalyst for human development and social progress and our partnership today with the Qatar Olympic Committee project reflects this commitment.

“By establishing inclusive and sustainable athletics tracks in underserved communities, we are creating pathways for young people to develop their talents, strengthen their capabilities, and realise their full potential. This initiative is not merely about constructing facilities, it is about laying the foundations for brighter, more prosperous futures.”

The signing ceremony during the Doha Forum – a premier global platform for dialogue and diplomacy – highlights how sport can drive sustainable development, peace and human development. The forum brings together global leaders, policymakers and innovators to discuss critical challenges and shape action-driven solutions.

World Athletics

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Watertown Elks Lodge Hosts Local Hoop Shoot | Local News

Published

29 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

{KXLG – Watertown, SD} The Elks Hoop Shoot is a nationwide free throw contest sponsored annually by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. It’s one of the largest and longest-running youth sports programs in the country, giving kids ages 8 to 13 the chance to compete in a fun, skill-based event that emphasizes hard work, sportsmanship, and perseverance.

More than 1 million youth across the U.S. participate each year, starting at the local lodge level. Winners advance through local, state, regional, and national competitions, with the national finals held each spring at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. Six national champions are crowned, and their names are engraved in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The program is designed to develop hard work and confidence. The Elks highlight that success in the Hoop Shoot often comes down to practice and consistency which are qualities they hope kids carry beyond the basketball court.

Watertown Elks Lodge #838 welcomed 61 young athletes for this year’s local event, with first-place finishers earning a spot at the state competition and a chance to continue their run toward the national stage.

Winners of the Watertown Elks Hoop Shoot were: Odin Ebsen 8/9 boys from Summit, Kellen Haugen 10/11 boy from Watertown, Nate Roe, 12/13 boy from Florence, Brynlee Amdahl 12/13 girl Summit, Ashlyn Schmidt 10/11 girl Florence, Mya Gaikowski 8/9 girl Waubay.

The state competition will be held on February 7th in Pierre at St. Joseph’s School Gym.

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Three Orange County football teams go for CIF state championships –

Published

5 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Woodbridge, Beckman and Santa Margarita football teams will be going for CIF state titles on Saturday at Fullerton, Buena Park and Saddleback College.

All the finals in 15 divisions will be held either Friday or Saturday in Orange County.

In the 7-AA division, Connor McBride’s Woodbridge Warriors (7-8) will meet Redding Christian (14-0) Saturday at 11 a.m. at Fullerton.

In the 4-A division, Marcello Giuliano’s Beckman Patriots (12-3) will take on El Cerrito (12-2) Saturday at 7 p.m. at Buena Park.

In the open division, Carson Palmer’s Santa Margarita team (10-3) meets De La Salle (12-0) Saturday at 8 p.m. at Saddleback College.

Schedule:

OPEN: De La Salle (12-0) vs. Santa Margarita (10-3) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. at Saddleback College

DIVISION 1–AA: Folsom (13-1) vs. Cathedral Catholic (11-2) on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at Saddleback College.

DIVISION 1–A: Central East, Fresno (13-1) vs. Pacifica, Oxnard (15-0) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Saddleback College.

DIVISION 2–AA: St. Mary’s, Stockton (12-2) vs. Bakersfield Christian (13-0) on Fri., Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. at Saddleback College.

DIVISION 2–A: Sonora (14-0) vs. Rio Hondo Prep (15-0) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Saddleback College.

DIVISION 3–AA: St. Ignatius, S.F. (8-6) vs. Ventura (13-2) on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at Fullerton.

DIVISION 3–A: McClymonds, Oakland (11-2) vs. RF Kennedy, Delano (12-3) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Fullerton.

DIVISION 4–AA: Sutter (13-1) vs. Barstow (11-3) on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at Buena Park.

DIVISION 4–A: El Cerrito (12-2) vs. Beckman 12-3) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Buena Park.

DIVISION 5–AA: Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland (10-4) vs. Christian, El Cajon (8-7) on Friday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. at Buena Park.

DIVISION 5–A: Calaveras, San Andreas (12-2) vs. Bishop Union (12-3) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. at Fullerton.

DIVISION 6–AA: Lincoln, San Jose (11-3) vs. Valley Center (8-6) on Friday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. at Fullerton.

DIVISION 6–A: Winters (13-1) vs. Morse, San Diego (10-4) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. at Buena Park.

DIVISION 7–AA: Redding Christian (14-0) vs. Woodbridge, Irvine (7-8) on Sat., Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at Fullerton.

DIVISION 7–A: Balboa, San Francisco (11-2) vs. South El Monte (11-4) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at Buena Park.

TICKETS:

Only available on-line at the GoFan app.

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Cal Petersen gives back to youth hockey with the Iowa Wild

Published

5 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 8, 2025, 5:02 a.m. CT

Cal Petersen held onto a simple childhood dream: He wanted to play for the Waterloo Black Hawks.

He grew up in eastern Iowa, and he gravitated toward hockey – a sport often trumped by more popular sports in the state, like baseball, basketball, football and wrestling – because of his family’s history.

And while most young players dreamed of making it to the National Hockey League, Petersen set his sights on the local USHL – the top junior hockey league in the United States – team.

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Racer Athletics raises $289,800 during Giving Tuesday drive | Murray State

Published

6 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MURRAY—Murray State Athletics boasted another successful Giving Tuesday earlier this week with $289,800 raised to support the department’s strategic priorities and initiatives while the department continuously invests in a world-class experience of the Racers’ more than 400 student-athletes.

The philanthropic day was the second-biggest Giving Tuesday total in Racer Athletics history behind last December’s total of $409,787.

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LeBron’s vintage silencer stuns Philly

Published

6 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

PHILADELPHIA — The ball found him in the left arc, with the game hanging in the balance at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Tie score. 75 seconds left.

Throughout the contest, the Lakers’ offense had sputtered, misfired, stalled.

Then, LeBron James caught, rose, and released. The arc of the shot–– pure. The swish––silent. The crowd, moments earlier a raging sea of noise, was suddenly, stunningly, subdued.

It was the exclamation point on a 29-point, tour-de-force reminder, a 112-108 Lakers victory carved from resilience and authored by an old master who decided, when it mattered most, to take the pen back.

James can do what he wants. He sees the collection of youth on the court; nonetheless, it flourishes under his gaze. But when they need big brother to step in and tend to the business, they can’t; that’s why he is there.

On Sunday, business was messy. Business was necessary.

Luka Dončić, returning from a transatlantic journey for the birth of his daughter, labored to a 31-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist triple-double—his 49th 30-point triple-double, moving him past Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokić for second all-time.

But his shots often rimmed out, his rhythm––absent.

Austin Reaves fought through an off-night where the lid sat snug on the basket.

Enter the connector. The conductor. The closer.

“I really thought his play throughout the game gave us such a lift,” head coach JJ Redick said. “LeBron was like our connector tonight.”

James wasn’t just a scorer; he was a solver. He set bone-rattling screens. He leveraged his gravity. He played a cerebral, grinding game, picking his spots with the precision of a surgeon until the moment demanded a sledgehammer.

That moment arrived with the score knotted at 105 after a Joel Embiid jumper. The Lakers’ previous four possessions: a Reaves miss, a Dončić miss, a Dončić turnover, another Reaves miss. The offense was adrift. The play call was simple, timeless: get the ball to LeBron.

He delivered the three. On the next trip, a 20-foot dagger. Ballgame.

“That was vintage ‘Bron,” Dončić said. “He just decided the game.”

Dončić finished 11-of-14 from the line, his free throws icing the win, but the night belonged to the elder statesman.

“I was tired,” Luka said. “Mentally, I wasn’t there much. I’m just glad we got a win.”

The win was a testament to layered strength. It was Deandre Ayton’s defensive versatility, switching onto Tyrese Maxey, who scored 28 points to lead Philadelphia, and bothering Embiid, who poured in 16 points on 4-of-21 shooting.

It was the team bending but not breaking after a 10-point first-half deficit. It was, as Redick noted, the luxury of having multiple suns in a solar system.

“Some nights… we played through LeBron a lot in the second half tonight. Down the stretch, we played through him,” Redick said.

For James, the win was a personal reaffirmation after injuries and a streak-snapping quiet night in Toronto. He needed the win to show that he still had the magic he’s carried for 23 seasons inside him.

He has it. He has the calm. He has the clutch gene. He now has 1,015 regular-season wins, surpassing Robert Parish for sole possession of second place on the all-time list. A number that speaks of longevity, excellence, and nights like this—nights where he observes, he calculates, and then, decisively, he strikes.

The Lakers will board their flight back to Los Angeles 2-1 on a taxing East Coast trip, and 17-6 on the season.

They will carry many things as they head home: their luggage, Dončić’s historic triple-double and another notch in the win column.

But they also carry the feeling, the secure knowledge that in the grinding heart of a close game, they have an ageless weapon.

A player who can, with a single shot, silence an arena and show the annals of NBA lore that legends don’t fade—they wait for their moment to roar.

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