'Bragging Right's War' moves to ArtesiaCavegirls 6th-Cavemen 8thin MaxPrep PollBy Don EskinsThe Cavemen and Cavegirl basketball teams have gotten off to great starts this season. As a resultboth squads have been ranked by MaxPreps, among the Class 5A's top ten schools throughout the year, including this month's final poll for 2021 (last post Dec. 20).At the Christmas holiday break the Cavemen had won six of their last seven games and sat at 8-2 on the year. For their efforts Maxpreps currently has them ranked No. 8.The Cavegirls, who have won eight of their last nine, sat 8-3 at the holiday break and are ranked No. 6.Both CHS coaches, Caveman head coach John Zumbrunand Cavegirl head coach Matt Enloe, have said that while their teams have gotten off to great starts they still have a ways to go and that they hope to be playing their best basketball at district and state tournament time. From the looks of things they're on pace to do just that.Although both teams have struggled at times, both have leaned on their defense to keep them in ballgames this season, as they put the pieces together that they'll need to make a run for this year's district and state titles.Cavemen & Cavegirls at ArtesiaThe Cavemen and Cavegirls will be heading to northern Eddy County on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to take on the Artesia Bulldogs.Game times for the Carlsbad boys teams are: C-4:00, JV-5:30 and varsity-7:00. For Carlsbad'sgirls: JV-4:00 and varsity-5:30.Tuesday's confrontations will mark the second time this year that the two ball clubs have met.On Dec. 21, in Carlsbad, the Cavegirls dominated the Bulldogs in cruising to a 47-34 victory. Offensively they were led byKilea Estrada who dropped in 19 points. Eighteen of those points came via six first half three's.
Also scoring were Mariana Sepulveda with 10, Allie Myers 7, Alisa Bernal 6, Morgan Boatwright 3, Alexa Dugan and Carly Younger 2. (CHS Stats)Over the pastsix and a half years the Cavegirls have won ten in a row against Artesia.Carlsbad's boys also defeated Artesia on Dec, 21, but narrowly. Leading by eight points at the half, 21-13, the Cavemen held on over the final two quarters of play, to sneak past the upset minded Bulldogs 43-41 win.The Cavemen were paced by Damian Perez with 20 points. Also contributing were Devin McWright with 7, Tylan Gonzales and Ismael Chaves 5, R.J. Amos 4 and Garren Gossett 2. For the Cavemen to upend the Bulldogs on Tuesday they'll have to figure out how to slow Artesia's Nick Sanchez down and deal with a bit of Cavemen vs Artesia history.Sanchez scored twenty points in the Bulldogs 43-41 loss to the Cavemen. Historically, over the past six years, CHS has gone 8-3 against the Bulldogs with all three losses coming in Artesia.Go Cavemen and Cavegirls!COMING UP for CHS: On Thursday, Jan. 6, the Cavegirls will compete in the 'Portales High School Invitational'. The tournament will run through Saturday Jan. 8. Timesare T.B.A.The Cavemen will be at home next Friday, Jan. 7, for a game with Centennial and on Saturday, Jan. 8, with Los Lunas. Game times for two tilts are Centennial: JV-5:30 and varsity-7:00; Los Lunas: C-1:00, JV-1:00 and varsity-2:30. Carlsbad High School Basketball RecapsThe Cavemen were in Roswell to compete in the 'Poe Corn Basketball Tournament' on Dec. 28-30. Results of the tournament will be posted in next week's edition of the Carlsbad Local.Cavemen Split with Cruces -Organ Mt.The Cavemen lost to the No. 2 ranked Las Cruces Bulldawgs 74-48 on Friday (Dec. 17) but bounced back to defeat the Organ Mt. Knights 49-39 on Saturday. Both games took place in Las Cruces.Las Cruces 74, Carlsbad 48Game stats: Scoring: Damian Perez 19, Xavier Rueda 12, Devin McWright 5, Zach Barnes 5, Tylan Gonzales 4, Evan Campos 3, and Ismael Chaves 3. Leaders/Assists; Ismael Chaves 3, Tylan Gonzales 2,
Devin McWright 2; Rebounds; Tylan Gonzales 6, Damian Perez 5, Xavier Rueda 3, Garren Gossett 2, Devin McWright 2; Steals: Damian Perez 1, Devin McWright 1. (Stats by Hudl)Carlsbad 49, Organ Mt. 39Game stats: Scoring: Damian Perez 10, Ismael Chaves 10, Derek Sullivan 8, Xavier Rueda 8, TylanGonzales 4, Evan Campos 4, Sam Gee 3, R.J. Amos 3; Leaders/Assists: Damian Perez 4, Ismael Chaves 2, Evan Campos 2, R. J. Amos 2; Rebounds: Devin McWright 8, Tylan Gonzales 4, Derek Sullivan 3, Evan Campos 3; Blocks: Damian Perez 3, Evan Campos 3. (Stats by Hudl)Cavegirls Roll Past BulldawgsLas Cruces 34, Cavegirls 49The Cavegirls proved to be too much for the the Las Cruces Bulldawgs on Friday, Dec. 17, here in Carlsbad. Carlsbad outscored Las Cruces in every frame of play to down the Dawgs 49-34. Three Cavegirls-Allie Myers and Mariana Sepulveda with 16 and Morgan Boatwright with 12 scored in double digits.Game stats: Scoring-Allie Myers 16, Mariana Sepulveda 16, Morgan Boatwright 12, Kilea Estrada 3 and Alexa Dugan 2; Leaders/Assists: Allie Myers 4, Kilea Estrada 3; Rebounds: Allie Myers 14, Morgan Boatwright 10, Alexa Dugan 4; Steals: Allie Myers 3, Alexa Dugan, Mariana Sepulveda, Kilea Estrada, and Morgan Boatwright 2. (CHS-Hudl Stats