Wildcats close out Gallup tourney with win over Sandia Prep

GALLUP — After seeing its eight-game winning streak snapped the night before, the Clovis High boys basketball team had to go to the wire again on Saturday night.

The Wildcats, though, pulled away down the stretch to claim a 51-46 win over Sandia Prep in the third-place game of the Gallup Invitational.

Both teams were coming off tough semifinal losses, the Cats to Las Vegas, Nev.-based Spring Valley and the Sartans in a 61-60 decision against host Gallup.

“We had good shots, but we didn’t have that good of a shooting night,” CHS boys coach Jaden Isler said. “They (Sundevils) tried to make it a halfcourt game.

“Finally, at the end of the third quarter and in the fourth quarter we started to turn them over with our pressure, and we were able to get some separation.”

Clovis (10-4) played without senior forward Ro Morgan, who injured an ankle early in the Spring Valley contest. Senior guard Dewayne Dawson led a balanced attack with 14 points, while senior post Bryce Cabeldue added 10.

The game was still tight inside the final three minutes, but senior Josiah Lombrana converted four free throws late to help the Cats nail it down.

The Class 4A Sartans (6-5) stayed in the game with the help of a combined seven 3-pointers by 6-foot-6 junior guard Sam Henderson and senior forward Max Felt. Henderson had three of the triples and finished with a game-high 24 points, while Felt tallied 14.

“It seemed like every time we’d get up four or five points, they’d hit a 3,” Isler said. “It was the third game in three days, and both teams’ legs weren’t there.”

Isler also praised the play of his bench, led by senior Ethan Gershon’s nine points.

“Ethan tore his meniscus before the season,” Isler said. “We’ve been working him back in there, and he’s starting to perform well for us.”

Clovis returns to action on Tuesday when it welcomes Lovington to The Rock in a 7 p.m. start.