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Clovis boys pull off 63-59 road win over Bears
CLOVIS — Clovis High's girls had District 2-6A champion La Cueva on the ropes for most of three quarters on Saturday night at Rock Staubus Gym.
The Lady Wildcats led by five points at halftime and were close until the final quarter before the Bears pulled away to a 57-44 win in the district and regular-season finale for both teams.
The Lady Cats (9-17, 2-6 district) led 26-21 at halftime behind 12 points from junior guard Teya Morris. A late basket gave the Bears (17-7, 9-1) the lead as time wound down in the third quarter, and La Cueva posted a 19-8 margin in the final stanza.
The Lady Cats, seeded fifth in next week's district tournament, travel to fourth-seeded Santa Fe High in a 7 p.m. first-round game on Tuesday.
"We had a great start," CHS girls coach Jeff Reed said. "We played great in the first half. We got their big girls in foul trouble and kept them from getting second shots."
Senior guard Delaney Markham scored 20 points and had three 3-pointers, two in the third period to help the Bears rally. Sophomore post Brynn Wade added 15 and junior forward Brooke McGee 13 for the Bears.
Meantime, Morris finished with 21 points for the Lady Cats.
District 6-2A girls tournament
Seeds in parentheses
Tuesday's Games
(6) Manzano at (3) Sandia, 7 p.m.
(5) Clovis at (4) Santa Fe, 6 p.m.
Wednesday's Game
Tuesday's winners at higher seed, 7 p.m. (6 p.m. if Clovis involved)
Friday's Game
Wednesday winner at (2) Eldorado, 7 p.m.
Saturday's Game
Friday's winner at (1) La Cueva, TBD
La Cueva 63, Clovis 59 (boys): Clovis took a 63-59 win at La Cueva to end the District 2-6A regular season with a .500 record.
Clovis (12-14, 5-5 district) was locked into fourth place and a Tuesday home tournament opener against Sandia. But winning a road game in Albuquerque, over the team that just upset 2-6A regular season champ Eldorado Wednesday, is a shot in the arm for the Wildcats' chances to make the 16-team Class 6A tournament field.
"Nothing but positive comes out of winning this game," Clovis coach Scott Robinson said. "That was what we said in the locker room: Let's send a message to the rest of the district that we're a good basketball team. It gives us some confidence and a little momentum. It adds another win to our belts."
Junior guard Jakeem Wynn scored 27 points to lead three Cats in double figures.
The Wildcats had some ups and downs, including a 15-point overtime loss to Santa Fe after they came back from a 10-point deficit. But the Wildcats have otherwise held their own in nail-biters, with a 4-2 record in district games decided by five or less.
"We've had to fight, and fight and be tough," Robinson said. "We've done that, and had to make plays at the end. I think we've got some momentum and confidence going into the district tournament."
While the Wildcats have their first .500 district season in four seasons — the last time they made the state tournament — there's a chance to move the season record to .500. Robinson thinks the Wildcats have enough of a resume to land somewhere between 14 and 16, but could move up a few spots with a good run in the 2-6A tourney.
"We know it's going to be tough, regardless of who we'd play on Tuesday. Our goal is to advance through the district tournament. We want to play some more basketball, and we feel like we've got a lot to play for."
District 6-2A boys tournament
Seeds in parentheses
Tuesday's Games
(6) Manzano at (3) La Cueva, 7 p.m.
(5) Sandia at (4) Clovis, 6 p.m.
Wednesday's Game
Tuesday's winners at higher seed, 7 p.m.
Friday's Game
Wednesday winner at (2) Santa Fe, 7 p.m.
Saturday's Game
Friday's winner at (1) Eldorado, TBD