Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
LOVINGTON - A busy start to the season may have caught up a bit with Clovis High's boys on Saturday.
Coming off an excruciating buzzer-beating District 4-5A home loss to Hobbs the night before, the Wildcats didn't have the oomph on Saturday afternoon and dropped a 64-57 decision to Lovington.
Clovis (5-3) started well and led 12-4 at the quarter, but Lovington (2-4), with a number of tough setbacks to 4-5A members, pulled close at halftime and took control in the final two stanzas.
"They really shot it well," Cats coach Jaden Isler said, noting that Lovington had nine 3-point baskets. "The first quarter, we defended well and made them take tough shots."
Senior guard Cobe Sandoval led three Lovington players in double figures with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Junior forward Tayton Hilliard added 16 points and three 3s, and senior guard Jared Jeffrey scored 11.
Junior guard Elijah Garcia scored a personal-best 21 points for CHS, and sophomore guard Bryson Goldsmith chipped in 11. Both had three of the Cats' seven 3-point baskets.
It was Clovis' eighth game in 17 days to start the season. Still, Isler said Lovington, coached by former Melrose and Floyd coach and CHS assistant Casey Pack, is a more-than-capable team.
"They're good enough to beat anybody; they've got good shooters," he said. "We were pretty gassed. Even when we got the lead, we didn't look very good."
The Cats were to play the second of four consecutive road games on Tuesday night at district rival Roswell High. On Friday, Clovis visits Carlsbad.
Hobbs hands Lady Rams first setback - Portales stayed with the talented Hobbs Lady Eagles for a quarter on Saturday night, and was even within some striking distance well into the third period.
Then Hobbs took off on a 24-0 run that carried late into the game and collected a 58-26 victory over the previously unbeaten Lady Rams at the Ram Athletic Center, improving to 6-0 on the season.
Still, PHS girls coach Wade Fraze said his counterpart, Hobbs' Joe Carpenter, told him after the game that it was the best challenge his squad has received this season.
"As bad as (the score) got, I'm proud of my kids for the way they competed," Fraze said. "This game will make us better."
Senior forward Elise Turrbiates scored 21 points for Hobbs. Sophomore guard Wisdom Anthony, who had six 3s and 24 points the night before against Clovis, didn't make any 3s this time but still finished with 17 points.
Junior guard Riley Shillings led Portales (4-1) with 10 points.
Hobbs grabbed the lead with a basket in the final minute of the opening stanza, then stretched the margin to 21-12 at halftime. It was 30-20 when the Lady Eagles took off on their decisive run.
Portales' scheduled boys game against Eunice at the RAC was canceled on Saturday due to COVID-19 protocols at Eunice. The Rams were slated to visit Lovington on Tuesday night before traveling to Roswell Goddard on Friday in District 4-4A contests.
Meantime, the Lady Rams returned to District 4-4A action against Lovington at the RAC. They host Roswell Goddard on Friday night.