Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Clovis senior Justin Pinckney scored a game-high 21 points in Friday's 93-66 win over Moriarty. CNJ photo by Rick White
PAMPA, Texas — The Clovis High Wildcats took control with an early 11-point run and rode a balanced attack to a 56-44 victory Saturday over the Pampa Harvesters.
Junior forward Dominique Easterlin scored 14 points for the Cats (10-1), who also got 11 points from senior Justin Pinckney and 10 from junior John Props.
Senior Andy Rodgers was the only player in double figures for Pampa (5-10), scoring a game-high 22 points. He scored 14 in the second half.
The Cats now have just over a week off before hosting the Milk Cow Classic Dec. 29 at Rock Staubus Gym.
“I thought our effort was real good,” Clovis coach J.D. Isler said. “We’ve been pretty consistent the first semester; I’m real proud of the kids, and I think we’ll continue to get better.”
Easterlin added two baskets and a pair of free throws and Pinckney chipped in two charity tosses for an 11-3 lead just past the midway point of the period.
Pampa closed to 13-10 at the quarter on a 3-pointer by Rogers in the final minute. The Harvesters were still within four points late in the half, but two baskets by Easterlin helped the Cats open a 28-17 margin at the break.
Clovis led by double figures virtually all of the second half.
The Harvesters scored the first seven points of the final period — five by Rogers — to pull to 43-35 with 5 1/2 minutes left, but Pinckney’s three-point play with 4:45 to go pushed the Cats’ lead into double figures for good.
“Our bench contributed tonight; that’s one of our strengths,” Isler said. “We’re pretty deep.
“I thought (junior guard) Elliott Hita played well tonight, even though he didn’t score much. Justin didn’t shoot well tonight, but he played well defensively. He intimidated (the Harvesters), and got his hands on a lot of balls.”
Clovis finished the game 12-for-13 from the free throw line.
