Cavegirls Edge Roswell Coyotes

By Don Eskins

What southeastern New Mexico prep basketball fan would have believed it? The Cavegirls upend the Roswell Coyotes in their District 4/5A inaugural? The same Roswell Coyotes who crushed them 54-20 earlier this year?

Well, they’re believing now! The Cavegirls, behind a 17-point effort from 5’8” freshman Serenity Medrano, upset the 8-12 Coyotes 42-41 in Carlsbad on Friday night, January 30.

Down 20-16 at the half, the Cavegirls battled back to outscore the Otes 26-21 over the final two frames to grab the 42-41 win.

Medrano dropped in 11 of her night’s 17 points during the second half, seven of them during the final eight minutes of play.

But it took more than Medrano’s 17-point effort for the Cavegirls to get by Roswell.

Inside the key, and up 42-41 with only a handful of seconds showing on the clock, 6’0” center Faith Kluesner blocked a shot put up by the Coyotes’ Adamaris Vasquez (16 points on the night), to preserve the win.

The victory left the 10-11 Cavegirls, ranked 19th, sitting at the top of the District 4/5A standings at 1-0, along with the 19-2 Hobbs Eagles, who clubbed the 8-12 Clovis Wildcats 55-21 in their conference opener.

Seven Cavegirls contributed points to Carlsbad’s victory over the Coyotes. Leading the way, along with Medrano’s 17-point effort, were Juliette Licon with nine and Mia Payanes with seven.

Cavegirls vs. Roswell, Jan. 30

RHS 13 7 10 11 41

CHS 8 8 16 10 42

Leaders: Scoring: Serenity Medrano, 17; Juliette Licon, 9; Mia Payanes, 7; Jayla Bragg, 3; Serena Carrasco, 3; Thalia Payanes, 2; Bella Marquez, 1; FTs: 3-8-37.5%. (CHS Stats)

Cavegirls Falls to Clovis

Flying high after their 42-41 upset victory over the Roswell Coyotes, the Carlsbad Cavegirls’ spirits were grounded by the Clovis Wildcats, 45-29, on Tuesday afternoon, February 3, in Clovis. The loss dropped CHS to 10-12 on the year and 1-1 in District 4-5A play.

Down 19-10 at the break, Carlsbad was outscored 13-7 and 13-12 over the final two periods en route to the 45-29 loss.

Mia Payanes led the Cavegirl offensive effort with 11 points. Serena Carrasco, second on the Cavegirl scoring chart, added six.

Cavegirls @ Clovis, Feb. 3

C-bad 2 8 7 12 29

Clovis 7 12 13 13 45

Leaders: Scoring: Mia Payanes, 11; Serena Carrasco, 6; Serenity Medrano, 4; Hayden Brose, 3; Thalia Payanes, 3; Faith Kluesner, 2; FTs: 2-5-40%. (CHS Stats)

Cavegirls @ Hobbs

The Cavegirls, 10-12 and ranked 19th, will conclude their first round of District 4/5A play against the Hobbs Eagles on Friday, February 6, in Hobbs. The Eagles, 20-2, are the top-ranked Class 5A team in the state. The JVs will open play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7 p.m.