Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Clovis senior Teya Morris drives to the hoop against Rio Grande sophomore Nadine Vallez in the first quarter of the Wildcats 60-10 win on Thursday at The Rock.
Clovis freshman Mikyla Harkley fights through a pair of defenders including Rio Grande junior Kershawna Maryboy, right, on Thursday night at The Rock.
CLOVIS — Though it took a little while for the Clovis girls basketball team to find its rhythm Thursday, once the Lady Wildcats did so, they were off and running.
They coasted to a 60-10 victory over Rio Grande on the opening night of the Plateau Holiday Tournament at Rock Staubus Gymnasium.
Clovis didn't score until 1:40 had gone by in the game, finally getting on the board with Kaydee Weaver's short turnaround hoop. But, the floodgates were officially open, and Clovis posted a not-too-surprising win over hard-working but struggling Rio Grande, advancing to tonight's second round against Farmington. Tip-off time is 5:50 p.m.
The Lady Wildcats scored the first eight points Thursday, taking charge after the slow start. With Clovis leading 2-0 by virtue of Weaver's hoop, a Rio Grande miss was followed by a Weaver defensive rebound, leading to a possession that ended with her hitting an inside basket under tough defensive pressure. Teya Morris had the assist.
Baskets from Madison Tolbert and Antanishwa Molett doubled the Wildcats' lead to 8-0.
A high-arcing shot by Briyanna Rodriguez put Rio Grande on the board, and a basket from Yiselle Garcia brought the Lady Ravens to within 8-4, as they tried to make a game of it.
Clovis, however, scored 35 straight points, a staggering run that began quietly enough with a Morris free throw and ended in the third quarter with Sydni Hill's runner in the lane, making it 43-4.
In between, there was some intense play. Late in the first quarter and Clovis up 12-4, Tolbert's glasses started coming off her nose as she battled for a rebound. Rio Grande was called for a foul on the play, and on the ensuing Wildcat possession, Tobert scored off a Hill dish. On the Ravens' next possession, Hill came up with a steal and drove for a hoop, stretching Clovis' lead to 16-4 to complete the first-quarter scoring.
The second-quarter scoring also ended with a crackle, as Annabelle Martinez canned a three-pointer, stretching a 36-4 lead to 39-4.
Clovis continued rolling, all the way to tonight's second-round game against Farmington.
