Durango’s boys basketball team showed resiliency through a late-season coaching change and battled through the challenging Class 5A Southern League to win the state title.
Durango’s Taj Degourville announced his college commitment to San Diego State on Sunday. He chose the Aztecs over UNLV, Oklahoma and Southern California.
Durango announced Las Vegas native Ron Riley as the school’s new boys basketball coach. The Trailblazers won the Class 5A state title last season.
Chad Beeten resigned in February after he made complaints to the school about what he saw as its racial mistreatment of his basketball players, according to a letter he wrote school officials.
The Durango boys basketball team defeated defending champion Liberty to win the Class 5A state title Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Durango found its offensive rhythm in the second half as the Trailblazers rolled past Douglas in the Class 5A state semifinals, while Liberty handled Bishop Manogue.
Vying for its first state title since 1996, the Durango boys basketball team has rallied around interim coach Mike Lee, who retired after 30 years as a firefighter.
Durango junior forward Taj Degourville scored 22 points in the Trailblazers’ 65-59 win over Liberty in Saturday’s Class 5A Southern League title game.
Durango’s Taj Degourville and Tylen Riley combined for 38 points to outlast Dedan Thomas Jr. and Liberty in the Class 5A boys basketball Southern League title game.
Durango defeated Bishop Gorman in the Class 5A Southern League semifinals Thursday, securing a spot in the state tournament and ending the Gaels’ run of state trips.
State championships: 2023, 1996, 1995
Recent state runner-up finishes: 2000
Recent state tournament appearances: 2023, 2020, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995
Region championships: 2000
Recent league championships: 2004
Last 17 seasons
2024-25: 13-12 (2-9 5A Southern/10th)
2023-24: 4-21 (0-11 5A Southern/12th)
2022-23: 21-7 (10-1 5A Southern/second)
2021-22: 20-6 (9-1 5A Southern/second)
2020-21: NA
2019-20: 21-10 (8-4 Southwest/second)
2018-19: 9-14 (5-7 Southwest/fifth)
2017-18: 8-12 (4-8 Southwest/fifth)
2016-17: 10-12 (7-5 Southwest/fourth)
2015-16: 17-7 (5-3 Southwest/second)
2014-15: 7-16 (3-5 Southwest/third)
2013-14: 11-10 (7-3 Northwest/second)
2012-13: 14-11 (7-3 Northwest/third)
2011-12: 16-10 (12-4 Southwest/third)
2010-11: 16-11 (10-6 Southwest/third)
2009-10: 16-12 (10-6 Southwest/fourth)
2008-09: 20-8 (14-2 Southwest/second)
Head coaches
Ron Riley (2023-25): 17-33, 2 seasons
Mike Lee (2022-23): 21-7, 1 season
Chad Beeten (2019-22): 41-16, 3 seasons
DeShawn Henry (2007-19): 156-136, 12 seasons
Al La Rocque (1993-2007): 259-168, 14 seasons