Cats expect to play more up-tempo style this season

CLOVIS — Coming off a year in which the team struggled mightily and then went through a coaching change, the Clovis High boys basketball team is searching for its identity.

The Wildcats (6-22, 2-4 District 4-5A last year) are hoping first-year coach Josh Mattox can lead them back to respectability.

CHS opens its 2022-23 slate on Tuesday when it hosts Roswell Goddard at Rock Staubus Gym. After averaging just under 50 ppg last season, the Cats intend to play a more up-tempo style.

“We’re a more athletic team,” said senior guard Brian Weiss, one of two returning players who started most of the time a year ago. “We’re looking to play a lot faster. We want to prove the doubters wrong.”

Clovis is in a district which includes potential state contenders in Hobbs and Carlsbad, so it won’t be an easy task to turn things around.

“I know it was rough last year,” said Mattox, who was an assistant at University of the Southwest in Hobbs in 2021-22 after spending the previous six campaigns at Valencia H.S., the last three as head coach. “But we’ve got a lot of guys who can play, and I’m excited.”

R.J. Nora, a 6-foot senior forward, is the other player who started regularly last season and split time between inside and away from the basket.

This year, the Cats hope to use him a little more on the perimeter.

“I think he’ll be a little more free to be himself,” Mattox said. “We’ll try to get him a lot of touches going to the basket.

“(Weiss and Nora) are going to be key contributors to what we do. Brian is a lead-by-example guy, and R.J. brings some athleticism.”

Weiss (pronounced “Wise”) said expects to step up his role this season.

“I think I fall into more of a leadership role, and more of a scorer,” he said. “I have to be able to communicate on the court.”

Senior guard Manny Gutierrez got a number of starts last season for the Cats, while less experienced varsity players who will be counted on include 6-5 junior forward Marvin Cox, 6-4 junior forward J.J. Jones and 5-11 junior guard Keilyn Jones.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who can get to the basket,” Mattox said. “We don’t have a lot of size, so we’re going to try to play fast.

“I think we’re going to be a really solid defensive team, but it’ll take us a while to get our offense going.”

While it remains a work in progress, Weiss thinks it’s a matter of time for things to fall into place.

“We’re trying to kind of establish our roles,” he said. “As soon as everybody finds their spot, we’ll definitely be a better offensive team.”

The Cats were slated to get their first taste of competition on Saturday, scrimmaging at Santa Fe High against the Demons, defending Class 3A state champion Las Vegas Robertson, Belen and Taos.

“It’ll give us a good idea of where we’re at,” Mattox said.

Again, Hobbs and Carlsbad figure to be the teams to chase in the district.

“Regardless of what happened last year, a district championship is always a goal I’m going to set,” Mattox said. “We have a lot of home games, but we play a lot of tough teams. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”