Clovis holds court, defeats Gadsden

No doubt, the Clovis defense showed up late in the third quarter. But coach J.D. Isler never thought it left.

Logan Turnbow scored a game-high 21 points, and the sixth-seeded Wildcats held visiting Gadsden to 30-percent shooting in the second half of a 60-49 victory Saturday night at Rock Staubus Gymnasium.

“To hold that team to 49 points, considering who they are,” Isler said, “I thought that was our best defensive game of the season.”

Clovis (15-10) moves on to face third-seeded Valley (20-9) in a 4:45 p.m. Wednesday quarterfinal at The Pit. The Vikings defeated Rio Rancho 84-71.

No. 11 Gadsden’s season ends at 16-11.

The Wildcats never trailed, but needed to clamp down defensively in the third, as an undersized but efficient Gadsden squad held off a series of Clovis efforts to pull away.

With less than two minutes to play in the third quarter, an Anthony Ludwig 3-pointer cut Clovis’ lead to 40-37. That’s when Turnbow said the team huddled on a stoppage and decided they wouldn’t let up.

“We said to dig down," Turnbow said, "and we started to take pride in our defense.”

Back-to-back-to-back turnovers, and just four points over the next eight minutes, sealed the Panthers’ fate.

Gadsden assistant Thomas Gamboa said in addition to the turnovers, the Panthers couldn’t get into much of a rhythm because Clovis often held them to just one shot.

“They really hurt us, especially in the third quarter, hitting the glass,” said Gamboa, who handles media interviews. “They’re really athletic and they do a great job crashing the glass.”

Isler credited senior guard Jonathan Langan and freshman guard D.J. Blackmon with solid defensive efforts on senior guard Mario Medrano, who led three Panthers in double figures with 15 points.

Marcus Slocum added 12 for the Wildcats.

Isler credited his team with staying focused throughout a year that has included his suspension for accusations of recruiting, a subsequent dismissal by the school, a restraining order midway through the season on both, and a federal judge’s reinstatement order — in addition to a schedule that included two losses to two defending Arizona state champions and New Mexico 4A powers Roswell and Espanola Valley.

“After all that these kids have gone through, they’ve just relied on each other,” Isler said. “I wanted to get to Albuquerque so badly for them.”

Now, Clovis goes to The Pit, with a 5A field full of parity.

“As seniors,” Turnbow said, “we’ve wanted this our whole lives.

“Get your popcorn ready, it’s going to be a show.”