Legardy fills in, propels Canyon Springs past Durango

Derrick Legardy probably wouldn’t have spent much time on the floor in the second half Tuesday if not for a shoulder injury to starting guard Greg Banks.

But that didn’t stop Legardy from having a big impact for the Canyon Springs boys basketball team. The 5-foot-10-inch guard had seven points, five rebounds and three steals in the second half to help the Pioneers hold on for a 61-57 road victory over Durango.

“Legardy has got a nose for the ball,” Canyon Springs coach Freddie Banks said. “That’s one good thing. He’s going to get his hands on some balls, and he’s going to make some good passes.”

The Pioneers (2-0) led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter before Durango rallied to take a 51-46 lead on a fast-break bucket by Demetrius Valdez with 5:16 to play.

But Legardy helped Canyon Springs come back, coming up with loose balls and keeping plays alive.

The Pioneers’ Channel Banks went to the line with 2:30 to play and the game tied at 53. He hit the first free throw, but missed the second. Legardy sneaked inside to grab the offensive rebound. And though he wasn’t able to convert his follow, D’Quan Crockett was there to get the stick-back and push the lead to 56-53. The Pioneers wouldn’t trail again.

“The guy just plays hard every time he gets on the court,” Freddie Banks said of Legardy, who finished with six rebounds, three assists and four steals. “I like him a lot, but he wants to shoot the 3-pointer, and I don’t like that. But he played well for me tonight.”

Canyon Springs was in need of a spark after a horrendous start. The Pioneers managed just three points in the first quarter and trailed 14-3 after one period. Canyon Springs turned the ball over seven times in the quarter, including six in the first 3 minutes, 38 seconds. The Pioneers also missed their first six field goals.

“They want to play individual basketball, and I said, ‘I don’t play like that,’” Freddie Banks said. “I just said we’ve got to move the ball, move the defense.”

Jordan Davis had 18 points, and Channel Banks added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Pioneers, who made just 14 of 29 free throws.

Sophomore Zyare Ruffin led Durango (0-1) with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

“We played soft; we didn’t play hard,” Freddie Banks said. “The only thing I can do now is keep building with what we have right now. Things aren’t great right now, but as time goes on, they’re going to be.”

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587. Follow him on Twitter: @DamonSeiters.