Buffs deal CCS first setback

CLOVIS — Clovis Christian’s boys came into Friday’s District 6-1A matchup against top-ranked Melrose riding high and with high hopes, but the Buffaloes — particularly senior guard Trace Jackson — quickly shot them down.

Jackson poured in all 20 of his points in the first half, including five 3-pointers, as Melrose pulled away to a 73-62 victory over the previously undefeated Eagles at the CCS gym.

Jackson was coming off a personal-best 32 points, with eight 3s, in a home win over Grady on Thursday night. Several of his 3s against CCS (4-1, 3-1 district) came from near NBA range.

“I made the first one, then I made the second one and I just decided to keep shooting,” Jackson said. “I did the best I could to help our team win tonight.”

Senior post Tate Sorgen and junior post Logan DeVaney each added 12 points for the Buffs, who finished the contest with 11 3-point baskets and eventually dominated the inside as well.

“We did a lot of good things,” Melrose coach Kevin Lackey said. “We really opened it up against their zone with those 3s. (Jackson) can shoot it; with us, it’s kind of pick your poison. Whenever were hitting (from distance), we’re hard to beat.”

The game was tied 11-11 until the Buffs (3-0, 2-0) scored five points in the final minute of the opening stanza. Melrose outscored CCS 23-10 in the second frame, then took advantage of turnovers by CCS on its first three possessions of the second half to push the margin over 20.

The Buffs’ biggest lead was 69-41 about midway through the fourth.

Jackson said his teammates were ready for a tussle from the Eagles.

“We came in here knowing they’ve really improved,” he said, adding the rematch in Melrose in a couple of weeks should be challenging. “I think it’s going to be a great game. Hopefully, we can play as well as we did tonight.”

Sophomore guard Carter Teune led CCS with 20 points, but was limited to just eight before knocking down four 3s in the final period. Junior Santi Garbarino, starting for the injured Noah Gershon, added 13 points for the Eagles while senior Dawson Teune had 10.

“Not having Noah was a big deal for us,” CCS coach Trent McKay said. “He’s one of our best defenders and he’s kind of that motor for us.

“We’re still the underdog with the ‘Big 3’ in the district — Fort Sumner, Logan and Melrose. Hopefully, Noah’s ready to go on Tuesday (when the team visits Fort Sumner).”

In other area games on Friday night:

Floyd 42, Gateway Christian 36 — Senior Eric Terry scored 17 points, including five 3s, and the Broncos held on in the second half to beat the Warriors in a District 4-1A tilt at Floyd.

Floyd (2-2, 2-2 district) cruised into halftime leading 28-17, but tallied only three points in the third segment as Gateway (0-2, 0-2) got close. The Broncos, though, never relinquished the lead.

Junior Luke Tipton led the Warriors with 14 points.

Elida 78, Lake Arthur 41 — At Elida, the Tigers rolled to a 35-12 halftime lead, then blew the Panthers out of the water with a 29-point fourth quarter in District 4-1A.

Junior Gavin Hartman led Elida (3-1, 3-0) with 18 points, while sophomore Aiden Yates and senior Teagan Burton chipped in 12 and 11, respectively. Lake Arthur (0-2, 0-2) got 18 points from senior Adrian Guillen and 17 from junior Adrian Rangel.