Wildcats eye upset in return to 6A tournament

CLOVIS — Clearly, Clovis High’s boys are a solid underdog in tonight’s Class 6A state round of 16 matchup against second-seeded Las Cruces High.

The Wildcats are certainly ready to take on the challenge.

“They’re playing well,” CHS boys coach Scott Robinson said of the Bulldawgs (24-4), who bring a 12-0 home record and a six-game winning streak overall into the 6 p.m. contest. “But our kids are excited to be in the state tournament. We want to give ourselves a chance to win.”

To do that, they’ll have to make open shots and keep the Bulldogs from getting out on the fast break.

“I feel like we can beat them, honestly, as long as we play together,” said senior guard Taitt Kuchta, the Cats’ second-leading scorer (10.2 ppg) and top 3-point marksman (34). “Once they get a defensive rebound, they’re already pushing it.”

Kuchta said the Bulldawgs compare favorably to Hobbs, Clovis’ longtime district rival now playing in District 5-3A. Cruces traded a pair of 71-68 decisions with the Eagles in district play, each winning at home, while the Cats lost at Hobbs by 30 but had a chance late in a 67-63 setback in January at The Rock.

“We have to capitalize on our opportunities, and limit theirs,” Kuchta said.

The top players for the Bulldawgs are 6-foot-5 junior post R.J. Brown and junior guard Markus Collins.

After winning just eight games over the past two seasons, the Cats have been competitive in the majority of their games this year.

“We feel like there have been a handful of games that could’ve gone the other way,” Robinson said. “It’s been a good year; we’ve been competitive. We’ve got a good feeling back in the program.”

In other games today involving Curry County small-school teams:

n In Class 3A, second-seeded and defending 3A champion Texico (21-7) hosts Tohatchi (12-16) in a 3 p.m. rematch of a first-round game last season.

n In Class 2A, Fort Sumner (22-3) brings the No. 4 seed into a 6 p.m. matchup against 13th-seeded Hagerman, while ninth-seeded Dora (18-7) visits No. 8 Escalante (17-11).

n In Class 1A, reigning 2A champion and third-seeded Melrose (22-6) faces No. 14 Cimarron (10-14) at home, and 12th-seeded Grady (11-16) plays at No. 5 Springer (20-9).