Cats post second lopsided win

CLOVIS - It's certainly early, but so far Clovis High's boys have looked like world-beaters.

After two games, both at home, the Wildcats have outscored their opponents by a combined 136-59. This weekend, they figure to their first challenges of the campaign in the Joe Armijo Invitational at Albuquerque Academy.

Junior guard Keilyn Parker nearly outscored the opposition by himself, finishing with 24 points in a 64-26 domination of Lovington on Monday night at Rock Staubus Gym.

On Thursday, the Cats begin tournament play with an 8:15 p.m. quarterfinal match against Las Cruces-based Organ Mountain.

"This weekend will be a great test for us," first-year CHS coach Josh Mattox said. "The Academy tournament is loaded with talent."

The Cats are certainly a different animal than they were last season, when they struggled to a 6-22 record.

A big part of that is Parker, who was able to get just about whatever he wanted in Monday's tilt.

"Hopefully, we do get a challenge (at Academy)," Parker said. "We want to be able to play together and give Clovis another state championship."

That's something the Cats haven't achieved since 1979.

Lovington, which came in 4-0 after winning the DC Shootout in Denver City over the weekend, simply didn't have the horses to match up in this one.

"It was our fifth game in five days," said coach Casey Pack, a former Cats assistant who also had stints at the helm at Floyd and Melrose. "Clovis is a great team. They're big and athletic, and we're not very smart yet. But (we'll) learn; we can only get better from this."

After falling behind 10-0 in the first 2 1/2 minutes, Lovington pulled to 12-8 early in the second period and trailed just 23-13 at halftime.

When play resumed, though, the Cats went on another 10-0 blitz over the first two minutes to end any doubts. They outscored Lovington 26-4 in the third segment for a 49-17 lead.

"We were kind of nervous at first, but our coach let us talk to each other (at halftime), and we figured out what we needed to do," Parker said.

Junior forward Champ Gooden added 12 points for the Cats. Clovis connected on six 3-pointers in the contest, including two by senior guard Josh Wimbish.

"At times we panicked a little bit," Pack said. "Tonight we got out on an island, and Clovis did a good job of keeping us there."

CHS committed 13 turnovers - only two in the second half - while harassing Lovington into 22 floor errors.

"We turned the ball over a little too much (early)," Mattox said. "I think once we got settled in and got out running, there were some opportunities for us to score."

Parker said he's looking forward to this weekend, and ready to be tested.

"We've been watching film on (Centennial)," he said. "As a team, I think we'll be ready for them."