Academy edges Cats in semifinals

ALBUQUERQUE – Clovis High’s boys saw a last-second shot go off the mark on Friday night, and the Wildcats absorbed a 60-58 loss to host Albuquerque Academy in the championship semifinals of the Joe Armijo Classic.

Six-foot-4 senor Joe Jack scored 22 points for the Chargers (5-0), who advanced to face the winner of Friday’s late semifinal between Organ Mountain and Cibola. The Cats (4-2), who had a four-game winning streak snapped, were to take on the loser of that tilt for third place.

Academy had 10 2-point baskets and 10 3-pointers to go with 10-for-10 from the foul line, led by Jack with 6-for-6.

Clovis got to within two points late with a steal and layup, then forced another Chargers turnover only to misfire at the buzzer.

Senior guard Dillon McCleskey added four 3-pointers and 18 points for Academy, while senior guard Justin Mask finished with 13 points.

Clovis was paced by senior center Marvin Cox, who went 4-for-4 from the line and had a couple of 3-pointers en route to 16 points. Senior forward Champ Gooden added 15 points and senior guard Keilyn Parker chipped in 12.

Clovis 59, Las Cruces High 55 (Thursday, quarterfinals) – The Cats nearly let a 13-point lead entering the final stanza slip away, but they held on late to turn back the Bulldawgs (2-2).

Part of it may have been due to the fact the team was held up for about 20 minutes between Santa Rosa and Clines Corners due to the significant snow in the northern part of the state.

“Our 3 ½-hour bus ride (to Albuquerque) ended up being about six hours,” Mattox said.

Cox erupted to 25 points in this one, while senior guard Manny Gutierrez chipped in with a season-best 14 points, including four 3-pointers – two in each of the middle two segments when the Cats broke away from a tie to outscore Cruces 39-26.

“They were kind of our staples tonight,” CHS boys coach Josh Mattox said.

Clovis had a 20-point lead and appeared headed for a laugher, but the Bulldawgs made things tight late.

“I had to send guys back in in the last 30 seconds, and they turned it over two more times,” Mattox said.

Sophomore guard Zayden Clark led the Bulldawgs with five 3-pointers – all in the first half – and 17 points. Also in double digits were sophomore guard Jayden Clark with 13 and junior guard Issac Nevarez with 10.

After Saturday’s tilt, the Cats return to action on Wednesday in the six-team Clovis Holiday Classic at The Rock. The Cats face Silver on Wednesday, Navajo Prep on Thursday and La Cueva on Friday, all in 7:30 p.m. starts.