Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The way Los Lunas coach Ron Geyer praised the Clovis Lady Wildcats, it may be a wonder if his team shows up.
“Extremely talented. Great inside-outside balance. Very aggressive. Great court sense. Very well coached.”
Maybe the wily veteran coach is trying to kill the Lady Wildcats with kindness.
Los Lunas (22-7) plays Clovis (25-3) in a Class 5A regional game Saturday at Rock Staubus Gym. The winner advances to next week’s state tournament in Albuquerque.
Geyer denied passing out empty praise.
“Going into the state playoffs, my perception is Clovis is playing the best basketball of anybody in the state,” said Geyer, who won three boys state basketball titles in 11 years at Alamogordo before coming to Los Lunas two years ago. “They’re really playing with a lot of confidence.”
But Los Lunas has played tough teams all seasons, Geyer said. The Tigers have played every team in the Class 5A state tournament — and are the only team to beat top-ranked Mayfield.
“We’ve played a tough schedule,” Geyer said. “I think that’s helped prepare us for the playoffs.”
After two years of playing a regional game on the road, Clovis senior post Monique Walker is as happy to be home as a cash-strapped college student.
“I think we’re a little more confident this year,” said Walker, the Lady Wildcats’ second-leading scorer and rebounder. “I didn’t want to travel and I don’t think anybody wanted to travel.
“We’ve played well at home all year and hopefully we will again.”
Just like when he was at Alamogordo, Geyer uses a multitude of defenses and offenses. He preaches discipline and valuing the ball.
“Every time down the floor we’ve got to get good shots,” Geyer said about the keys to beating Clovis. “And then on defense, not allow their inside players to get quality shots and get a hand in the shooter’s face.”
Clovis coach Miles Watters said the combination of having one of the state’s best playmakers in senior Paige Powers and a disciplined playing style makes the Tigers dangerous.
“Powers is a little scary,” said Watters, who has led Clovis to the regionals in each of his three seasons at Clovis. “She’s the kind of player than can make her teammates better because she has the ability to penetrate and dish the ball off.”
Powers averages 12.5 points and four assists a game and is one of three Tigers to make all-district.
Watters said the hardest part about playing a disciplined team like Los Lunas is staying patient on defense. He said the key is keeping constant pressure on the ball.
“When you’re used to scoring a lot of points, sometimes you get frustrated and want to gamble and go for the steal,” he said. “What they can do is get you spread out and hugging your man and then it’s hard to help out on defense.”
Watters said the Lady Wildcats, who have won 19 of their last 20 games, are anxious to play.
“It’s been a long week,” Watters said. “It’s nice to have a little extra time to prepare for Los Lunas, but we’re going to do what we normally do.”
Class 5A
Girls
Regionals
Saturday
at Rock Staubus Gym
Los Lunas (22-7) vs. Clovis (25-3), 7 p.m.
Last regional appearance: Los Lunas, 2003. Clovis, 2003.
How they got here: Los Lunas is the District 3-5A runnerup. Clovis is the Class 4-5A champion.
Coaches: Los Lunas, Ron Geyer, 2nd year. Clovis, Miles Watters, 3rd.
Players to watch: Los Lunas, Paige Powers, 5-7, Sr., G (12.5 ppg, 4 apg), Keri Hall, 5-11, Sr., P, 7.7 ppg). Clovis, Brittany Blackmon, 5-10, So., P. (14.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Tori Quintana, 5-6, So., PG (6.4 apg)
Did you know? Roy Geyer won three boys state basketball titles in 11 years at Alamogordo.
The skinny: Los Lunas can take the crowd out of the game with its disciplined style while Clovis has proven to be a great frontrunner.
By the numbers: Clovis is 15-0 at home this season.