Gentry’s late free throw saves Durango boys

Greg Gentry still is bothered by the memory of missing two free throws late in a one-point loss to Spring Valley in his sophomore year.

Durango’s senior point guard found redemption in a big way Wednesday night.

Gentry’s free throw with 5.2 seconds left broke a 63-all tie and gave Durango a 64-63 Southwest League victory over visiting Western. The win clinched the Trailblazers a spot in the Sunset Region playoffs.

“I was excited that (Gentry) had that opportunity,” Durango coach DeShawn Henry said. “We have all the confidence in the world in him. To be able to have a senior step up and make a big free throw when you need it most is always good.”

Gentry was fouled on the perimeter with 5.2 seconds left and Durango in the bonus and then calmly knocked down the front end of a one-and-one.

“This time, I was like, 'I’m going to make this one,’ ” Gentry said of the go-ahead free throw.

Gentry missed the second free throw, but freshman guard Paris Estrada cleared the rebound to help seal the win for Durango (16-9, 10-5 Southwest).

Western’s Sir Washington drilled a 3-pointer while being fouled in the right corner to tie the game at 63 with 17.8 seconds remaining, but he missed the ensuing free throw that could have given the Warriors their first lead of the game.

Gentry made 8 of 10 free throws for Durango, which shot 21-for-27 at the foul line. Western (20-7, 9-6) made only 7 of 17 free throws.

Durango used its size advantage to dominate the paint, as power forward Cameron Stemley tallied 26 points and 12 rebounds.

“(Stemley) was amazing. He came out of his shell today,” Gentry said. “Me and him had a big talk before the game. I told him that I had his back and he had mine, and that was it.”

Gentry finished with 13 points and five assists, and Tre’Von Wells added 12 points for the Trailblazers.

Durango’s Antonyo Robinson didn’t score but contributed seven rebounds and four assists and took three charges.

Sir Washington led Western with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Kentrell Washington added 14 points for the Warriors, and teammate Aaron Buckley scored 12.

To reach the postseason, Western must win its regular-season finale at Desert Oasis on Friday.

Spring Valley (13-9, 9-6) owns the tiebreaker and would have to lose at Clark as well for the Warriors to advance.