Odds with Cats in state opener

If the Clovis Wildcats are heading into their first-round game with confidence, they've got plenty of reason to do so.

Clovis is the fourth seed, and the top four seeds are 27-1 in the first round since the state went to a 16-team bracket in 2006.

If the Wildcats were cautious going in, that would be OK, too. Since the format began, a double-digit seed has pulled an upset every season, including last year's win by Manzano in the 3-14 game.

Wildcat coach Matt King said the Cats (20-6) are a little of both, but it has nothing to do with the seeding and more to do with how the Wildcats and first-round opponent West Mesa have played coming into the 7 p.m. clash.

"This time of the year, you don't go in looking at that," King said Friday afternoon. "You play and prepare, and hope that you're playing well. You just try to be the best team on the floor that night."

By that standard, Clovis has been the better team since late January with nine straight wins, including a perfect run through District 4-5A.

But the Mustangs haven't been far behind. While West Mesa is 14-14, they've won eight of their last 10 coming into Clovis for the second-straight year.

"They've finished the season pretty well," King said of West Mesa, which lost in Clovis last year 66-53 as the ninth seed. "They can really shoot it. They play really well together."

Attempts to contact West Mesa coach Shonn Schroer — and former Eastern New Mexico University Greyhound hoopster — were unsuccessful.

Clovis senior John Dawson said the key, just like last year — and really, most of the 2012-13 season — is to take away the 3-point line.

"It's basically the same team. They lost a really good player from last year (guard Jon Rael), but it's pretty much the same team. They can shoot. They're pretty fast."

The winner will move on to The Pit for a 1:15 p.m. quarterfinal against either fifth-seeded Valley or No. 12 Manzano.

Dawson, a 6-foot-3 guard who has signed with Marquette next season, isn't concerned with proving himself or showing the Wildcats weren't seeded high enough, or much else beyond getting Clovis' first blue trophy since 1979.

"I just want to win," Dawson said.

Gameday

Class 5A state playoffs

First Round

No. 13 West Mesa (14-14) at No. 4 Clovis (20-6)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

On the air: KCLV-AM 1240, KTQM-99.9

Last time out: The Mustangs were defeated 69-61 by Albuquerque High in the District 5-5A semifinals Friday night, just its second loss in its last 10 games. Clovis defeated Hobbs 91-71 to win the District 4-5A tournament and claim its ninth straight victory.

Last meeting: 2012, Class 5A first round. In the 16-team bracket's 8-9 game, Clovis advanced with a 66-53 victory.

Common opponents: The Wildcats and Mustangs have eight common opponents — Class 3A top seed Hope Christian and fellow 5A tournament participants Albuquerque High, La Cueva, Rio Rancho, Sandia, Eldorado, Manzano and Valley. The Wildcats are 5-3 in those contests, while West Mesa is 4-9.

— Kevin Wilson