Lackluster Clovis nearly caves in at Carlsbad

CARLSBAD — The Clovis Wildcats were sluggish Tuesday night, allowing a team with just five wins to excel in nearly every category except the scoreboard.

With no player over 6-foot-2, Carlsbad was able to keep pace on the boards and slow down the Wildcats typically up-tempo style.

Uninspired and lacking emotion, the Wildcats’ 70-64 win shocked and dismayed coach J.D. Isler, who was concerned about his team’s lackluster effort.

“There is really no reason for us to play flat like we did. With the chance to be 3 and 1 in district it shouldn’t happen in a district game, and that’s what’s frustrating as a coach. This is the most important part of the season — there’s no reason to play uninspired at this point. It’s a real concern for the coaching staff and it needs to be a real concern for the players,” Isler said.

With starting point guard Tizrick Phillips suspended for the game for disciplinary reasons, post Dominique Easterlin and 6-8 Tigg Bunton led the Wildcats charge, scoring 22 and 25 points respectively.

But with 27 rebounds to Carlsbad’s 25, the Wildcats had trouble on the boards all night. They allowed the Cavemen to pick up 11 offensive rebounds and earn opportunities for second-chance points.

“I would hope our players would have pride that we can go rebound with everybody, and we sure should out-rebound them,” Isler said.

Led by Alex Bustos’ 22 points and Elias Lewis’ 15, Carlsbad (5-16, 0-2) led a spirited effort in the quest for its first district win.

From the perimeter, Clovis had a tough night, with guards Elliott Hita, John Props and Jacob Jones scoring just four points each.

From behind the 3-point arc, the Wildcats shot blanks all night, picking up no 3-pointers to Carlsbad’s seven.

Isler said the game should act as a wake-up call for the Wildcats, a team with the talent to win a state championship.

“We have a legitimate shot at a state title, but we’re going to have play like it means something every night,” Isler said.