Cats post win over La Cueva

ALBUQUERQUE — After winning just eight games in Scott Robinson’s first two seasons as head coach, Clovis High’s boys are looking to put together a resume which could help them come Class 6A state tournament time.

The Wildcats jumped over the .500 mark on Saturday, edging La Cueva 54-52 in the fifth-place game of Albuquerque Academy’s Joe Armijo Invitational.

Senior guard Taitt Kuchta scored on a 10-foot runner with four seconds left as the Wildcats (4-3), who had alternated wins and losses through six games, posted their first two game winning streak since December 2014.

“We’ve been able to put together some good 6A wins against Carlsbad and La Cueva,” Robinson said. “I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”

The game was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than four points. Junior guard Jakeem Wynn added 20 points for the Cats, while Kuchta and junior center Jonathan Williams finished with 10 apiece.

The Bears (2-3), who hit nine 3-pointers but were just 5-of-14 from the free throw line, were led by 18 points from senior guard Triston McCarty.

The Cats got the game-winner after each team took a timeout with 12 seconds left. Taking the ball in from the end line, they got it to Kuchta, who drove toward the basket and was fouled as his shot fell.

He missed the free throw, but the Bears’ last-second shot from about 15 feet out was off the mark.

“Credit to the kids,” Robinson said. “They executed down the stretch.”

Clovis returns to action on Friday in a 6:30 p.m. (MST) game at Borger.