Lady Cats look to build on 2021-22 season

CLOVIS — Clovis High junior guard Zarai Lewis lost her main sidekick from last year’s team to graduation, but she feels confident the Lady Wildcats can duplicate or exceed what they were able to accomplish in 2021-22.

Lewis led the Lady Cats (18-11, 2-4 District 4-5A) in scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.1 rpg) last season, but now she won’t have guard Yvonne Fuerte (11.3 ppg) to play off of this time around.

Clovis is slated open the campaign on Tuesday night at Rock Staubus Gym against Rio Rancho Cleveland.

“I’m looking forward to getting to play with this team,” Lewis said. “I think we have a chance of doing great things.”

Clovis finished third in the district last season, behind Hobbs and Carlsbad. The Lady Eagles, two-time defending Class 5A state runnersup, and the Cavegirls figure to be formidable again this season.

Jeff Reed, beginning his 15th season at the helm, said it’s a matter of who can come along to make up for the loss of Fuerte and three other seniors who helped the Lady Cats’ notch a Class 5A state playoff berth.

“I do feel like we can have a good season,” Reed said. “We’ve got plenty of opportunities, but when we get to district it’s going to be really tough.”

Senior guard Ali Thomas is the team’s most experienced player after Lewis. As a junior, she averaged 7.2 points while leading the squad in steals with 49, two more than both Lewis and Fuerte.

Senior Martha De La Rosa is the projected point guard this season.

“Martha De La Rosa is going to have to step up at the point guard position,” Reed said. “(Junior post) Kailyn Jefferson, (senior post) Shalanda Lefevre and Ali Thomas are girls we need to play well.

“I think we have a possibility of being better in some areas. I think our overall athleticism is better.”

Lewis said she has tried to work on her game since last season, adding that she’s physically stronger than a year ago.

“This summer, my dad worked a lot with me on being able to finish (shots),” Lewis said. “I plan to improve in all aspects of the game. I want to become a great defensive player.

“I’m a little bit nervous (heading into the opener). You’re always nervous when you get started, but once you get going it kind of goes away.”

There are two tournaments in December on the schedule for the Lady Cats, including their own holiday event from Dec. 20-22 at The Rock.

Reed said the team played reasonably good defense last season. It’s on the offensive end of the court where the squad is looking to make significant strides.

“We worked hard in the offseason on our offensive skills,” he said. “Hopefully, that’ll pay off for us.”

A first-round homecourt game (top eight seed) in the 5A tournament is in their plans.

“It’s hard for us to go on the road and win in the playoffs,” Reed said. “We want to have an Albuquerque team or a Las Cruces team have to travel here.”

Reed’s immediate wish is to improve on last year’s performance — get past the first round of the playoffs.

Lewis has actually set her sights a bit higher.

“My main goal is to win the state championship,” she said. “My personal goal would be to improve my scoring.”