CLOVIS — Clovis-Hobbs is kind of a legendary hyphenated term around here.
The rivalry between schools goes back a way to packed bleachers and gyms of decades past. When ‘Hawbs’ came to town, people flocked to Leon Williams Stadium or to the Rock or even Bell Park. When Clovis made the desert trek to the land of oil derricks and casino winnings, it was a big deal, too.
In the days of Jimmy Carter, seeing a Clovis-Hobbs basketball game was like getting tickets for ‘Hamilton’ in New York City during more recent times. Good seats were at a premium. Any seats were at a premium.
“Back in those days a Hobbs-Clovis game was, if you didn’t get there extremely early you didn’t get to watch,” former Clovis High and Texas Tech guard Bubba Jennings said in December. “Very intense rivalry.”
It was still cooking in the mid-to-late 2000s when Jaden Isler played, but hasn’t been quite as intense over the last few years. Until last Friday, that is.
With the teams realigned into the same division again — this time District 4-5A — and both teams entering the game at 1-0 district, with Hobbs coming into the Rock at 16-5 overall and Clovis hosting at 15-6, the stakes were obvious and the rivalry seemed like it had been jump-started. Helping from the purple and white standpoint was their 88-83 comeback victory that boosted them to 2-0 district as they began the final month of regular-season play. But there was more than that. A jammed gymnasium inside and hardly any spots left in the parking lot outside indicated that the rivalry was back. Big time.
And Isler, who returned home from Elida’s girls program to coach the Clovis boys varsity this year, is among those who couldn’t be happier.
“That’s what I want for these kids,” Isler said from his office after Friday’s game. “I spend a lot of time on social media with our Wildcat basketball Twitter page. And I spend a lot of time talking to people in the community, just because I want these kids to get the excitement and the feeling of what it’s like to have a packed gym. ... That’s something I got to experience during my basketball career here. I just want those kids to get that feeling.”
Mission accomplished Friday night. It almost felt like you needed a rubber suit to walk into the Rock because the place was electric. Every Clovis basket, every Wildcat steal, every block, every rebound came with its own roar.
When the game was over, when the Wildcats had hung on by five, the Clovis faithful gave their team a standing ovation.
“I’m proud of our fans,” Isler said, “proud of our football and baseball teams for coming out to the student section and being great out there. It was just a great night to be from Clovis.”
Isler is hoping his players continue to have packed gyms, continue to have community support and passionate fans.
“And not just the Hobbs side of it,” he said. “Just overall, for their career.”
But specifically beating the Eagles doesn’t hurt Clovis in the confidence department.
“This is a great energy boost right now,” said Clovis junior center Bryce Cabeldue, one of four Wildcats to score in double figures Friday. “It has definitely energized us. Hopefully we’ll go there and beat them.”
The rematch at Hobbs is Feb. 15. Clovis is at Roswell on Friday.