Matadors top Clovis

CLOVIS — One thing seems evident — the Clovis High and Sandia boys basketball teams are pretty evenly matched.

The Wildcats pulled out a pair of tight ones late in the two regular-season meetings, and trailed the Matadors by a point heading into the final period of Tuesday's District 2-6A tournament matchup at Rock Staubus Gym. This time, though, Sandia pulled away and claimed a 55-50 victory.

The fifth-seeded Matadors (11-14) advance to a 7 p.m. clash at third-seeded La Cueva, which ousted Manzano on Tuesday night. Meantime, the Cats (12-15) are left to wait and see if they'll make the 16-team Class 6A state tournament field, which will be announced on Sunday by the NMAA.

Coach Scott Robinson said he thinks his squad has done enough, although the Cats may be looking at a No. 14 seed or lower.

"I feel like we're going to get in," he said. "The thing is, now we have to sit and wait."

Senior guard Jonah Callahan scored 21 points for the Matadors, including 16 in the first half when he kept them in the game. He picked up his third and fourth fouls in a span of three seconds midway through the third quarter, limiting him the rest of the way.

Sandia converted six 3-point baskets — four by Callahan — to just two for Clovis.

"(Callahan) was the difference tonight," Robinson said. "The thing they haven't done in the first two games is shoot the ball well, but they did that tonight."

Meantime, senior guard Bobby Tapia scored all seven of his points in the final period and freshman guard Jude Tapia went 5-for-6 from the line in the period to help keep the Cats at bay.

"It's tough to beat a team three times," Sandia coach Alvin Broussard said. "We finally finished a game. That's a sign of growth and maturity."

Neither team got a lot of separation most of the night. The Cats trailed early, then went on a 13-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to go up 19-14 before Callahan scored 11 points the rest of the period, including a three-point play and two 3-pointers.

Except for a couple of early ties, the Matadors led the entire second half, but it wasn't until Bobby Tapia's spurt that they opened a seven-point lead with just under 4 1/2 minutes left.

The Matadors converted 9-of-12 free throws down the stretch to stay in front.

Junior guard Brandon Romero finished with 16 points for the Cats, while junior center Jonathan Williams added 11.

Leading scorer Jakeem Wynn was held about six points under his average with 10, and didn't reach double figures until the final minute.