Lady Cats' second unit provides spark

Sometimes it’s the first team, sometimes the second.

Whatever. Clovis High’s girls continue to ride their depth to what they hope can lead to a big-time finish.

Freshman guard Danni Williams scored a season-best 21 points, senior post Paige Gardner added 20 and freshman post Shelby Jones combined nine points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Wildcats, ranked third in Class 5A, overcame a slow start to beat Artesia 79-52 on Friday night at Rock Staubus Gym.

The Lady Cats (17-2) travel to Roswell Goddard tonight, then prepare to open District 4-5A action next Friday at Hobbs.

Artesia (15-6), playing without senior forward Jenna Elkins, led for most of the first five minutes. Sophomore Carrie Sharp’s 3-point play gave CHS its first lead at 9-8, then sophomore Brandi Gomez nailed a 3-pointer to put the Lady Cats in front for good 12-10 at the 2:34 mark and kick off a 9-0 run to end the quarter.

“It’s nice to have the depth,” Clovis coach Jeff Reed said. “The second team came in and gave us some energy tonight.

“We got our press going and we didn’t have to go against that set (2-3) zone.”

Williams, scoreless past the midpoint of the second period, tallied three consecutive baskets in a span of less than a minute to build the lead to 20 points. The Lady Bulldogs mounted a brief run early in the second half, pulling to 44-30 with an 8-0 surge, but Clovis countered with the next nine points to put it out of reach.

“At the beginning, my shot wasn’t falling so I knew I had to go to the basket,” said Williams, who went 8-for-12 from the field and had a couple of 3-pointers. “Our press really started working for us.

“(Depth) really does help us. You can press teams and stay fresh with the 11 girls who play (regularly).”

The Lady Bulldogs shot 53 percent on 20-of-38 and converted 9-of-11 free throws, but the Lady Cats forced them into 25 turnovers.

Artesia coach Jeff Houghtaling said he held out Elkins, who scored 12 points in last year’s 52-41 loss to the Lady Cats, to rest nagging injuries before the start of District 4-4A play next week.

“They got away from us in transition,” Houghtaling said. “But we knew that coming in.

“We’ve got to have more consistency in our halfcourt offense. I think this helps us get ready for district.”

Gardner finished 10-for-11 from the field. Meantime, Sharp finished with five points, five rebounds and a team-high five assists.

Junior guard Hannah Ballew led Artesia with 17 points, while sophomore guard Alexis Aguirre added 10.