Basketball Recap: Emmanuel Peter Leads a Balanced Attack to Beat Upland

While Durango didn't have the best season last year (they finished 4-22), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They were the clear victor by a 62-39 margin over the Upland Highlanders/Scots on Thursday. Given the Trailblazers' advantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 13th in Nevada, while the Highlanders/Scots are ranked 502nd in California), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Durango to victory, but perhaps none more so than Emmanuel Peter, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and ten rebounds. Peter is becoming a predictor of Durango's success: when he posts at least ten boards the team is 6-2 (and 1-2 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Elijah Outlaw-Mcdaniels, who went 6 of 9 on his way to 13 points and six rebounds.

Trailblazers

Offensive Rebounds

12/20/23 vs Juneau-Douglas	18
01/02/25 vs Upland	16
12/27/23 vs Stansbury	16
12/29/23 vs Peoria	16
12/21/23 vs University Heights	15

Durango smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've posted since back in December of 2023.

Durango is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five matches, which provided a nice bump to their 7-4 record this season. As for Upland, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-9.

Coincidentally, the two teams will both be playing GV Christian the next time they take the court. Durango will head out to face GV Christian at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, while Upland will head out to face them at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.