Cavemen rally late to beat Cats

CLOVIS - Their record doesn't show it, but Clovis High's boys continue to battle despite going through a really tough season.

Tuesday night, the Wildcats carried a three-point lead into the final quarter, but couldn't hang on in a 46-41 District 4-5A setback to Carlsbad at Rock Staubus Gym.

"We played really well last night," CHS boys coach Jaden Isler said on Wednesday. "It was probably our best game of the year. We just kind of ran out of time."

The loss was the 11th this season by 10 points or less for the Cats (4-20, 1-3 district), with eight of those by no more than six points.

Clovis jumped on the slow-starting Cavemen (20-4, 3-1) for a 10-2 lead late in the first quarter. Carlsbad was coming off a five-point loss at home in its previous outing against district-leading Hobbs.

By halftime, the Cavemen managed to pull in front 22-20, but Clovis outscored them 12-7 in the third stanza for a 32-29 advantage.

In the final period, Carlsbad posted 17 points while holding the Cats to nine.

The Cavemen collected seven 3-pointers in the contest, including three by junior guard Evan Campos. But Isler noted the Cats were able to limit Carlsbad's top player, 6-foot-5 junior guard Damian Perez, to seven points and its top big man, 6-7 senior center Tylan Gonzales, to eight.

"We defended pretty danged well," Isler said. "I think our team found something last night. I feel like we figured a couple of things out."

Devin McWright, another 6-5 junior guard, added two 3-pointers and 16 points for the Cavemen. Meantime, junior forward R.J. Nora paced the Cats with 13 points.

Clovis played its home regular-season finale on Friday night against Hobbs. The Cats finish the regular season at Roswell High on Friday night.

Carlsbad 28, Clovis girls 19 - At Carlsbad, the Cavegirls got a 3-pointer at the first-quarter buzzer to break a 2-2 tie, and they held the Lady Wildcats in check for the second time this season.

Carlsbad (19-5, 3-1 district) posted a 29-22 win at The Rock on Jan. 25. This time, they limited the Lady Cats (15-8, 1-3) to just one field goal and four points in the opening half.

Part of the reason the Cavegirls play the style they do is they lost their top player, Allie Myers, to a mid-season knee injury.

"It's very frustrating," CHS girls coach Jeff Reed said. "Almost all of their scores are like this."

Dugan was the only player on either side to reach double digits, finishing with 11 points. Meantime, Clovis got six points each from senior guard Yvonne Fuerte and sophomore guard Zarai Lewis.

"We had opportunities, but 21 turnovers killed us," Reed said. "You can't do that against a 2-3 zone. You've got to cherish every possession."

Clovis visited district-leading Hobbs on Friday night, and closes out its regular season next Friday against Roswell High at The Rock.