Clovis girls rout Sandia, improve to 8-1

Suffice it to say, there was no hangover from Friday’s competitive win over Cibola for the Clovis High girls.

All five starters scored in the first 4 1/2 minutes and the Lady Wildcats rode a 30-5 first-quarter surge to an 81-31 victory over overmatched Sandia on Saturday night at Rock Staubus Gym.

Senior guard Danni Williams scored 24 points, senior post Shelby Jones had 17 and senior guard Nichele Hyman scored 16 for the Lady Cats (9-1), who now get just over a week off before returning to game competition on Dec. 29 in the Plateau Holiday Classic.

Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis senior Nichele Hyman splits the defense of Sandia’s Alyssa Provencia, left, and Amanda Mitchell in the first half of Saturday night’s game at Rock Staubus Gym. Hyman made both of the ensuing free throws.

“We needed to be tough last night,” CHS coach Jeff Reed said, referring to a 55-49 win over Cibola. “And we needed this tonight, getting everybody a chance to play.”

Clovis overwhelmed the Matadors (2-6) with fullcourt pressure early, scoring at will as Jones (8), Hyman (7) and Williams (7) combined for 22 points in the opening stanza.

By halftime, it was 54-12 and the entire second half was played with a running clock.

Jones, trying to come back steadily from a knee injury originally sustained during the soccer season, had one of her more dominant games on the boards en route to a season scoring high.

“Honestly, I think we’re playing really well as a team,” she said. “I felt like tonight we passed the ball really well.”

CHS forced the Matadors into 28 turnovers, including 20 in the first half and 12 in the opening stanza.

“I was pleased how we came out and jumped on them,” Reed said. “I think we shell-shocked them in the first quarter. They just couldn’t get into anything.”

Clovis opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run, started by a 3-pointer by Williams and capped by her short jump shot, to push the lead above 50. Reserves played the final 5:50 for the Lady Cats and matched Sandia on the scoreboard 10-10 during that time.

Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis senior forward Danni Williams draws contact from Sandia’s Cara Liggins in the first quarter of Saturday’s game at Rock Staubus Gymnasium. Williams had 24 points in Clovis' 81-31 win.

“I think we played good,” Jones said. “I think we sent a message to Albuquerque this week.”

No one reached double figures for the Matadors. Sandia’s high scorer was sophomore post Cara Liggins with nine points.

The Lady Cats plan to practice on Monday, then take off until Saturday and Sunday. They face Espanola Valley at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 in the quarterfinals of their eight-team tournament.