Cavemen Face Clovis in District-Opener

By Don Eskins

The Carlsbad Cavemen will tip off the 2024-25 District 4/5A basketball season on Tuesday, January 28, against the Clovis Wildcats in Clovis.

This year’s race for the conference title—and the automatic bid to the state tournament that comes with it—promises to be a tough one.

As of Tuesday, January 20, the Class 5A second-ranked Hobbs Eagles (16-3) and sixth-ranked Roswell Coyotes (16-4) loomed as the odds on favorites to capture this year’s district title.

The Cavemen will enter the race at 12-6 and ranked 14th. Clovis, at 8-10, is ranked 17th.

“It’s definitely going to be a tough race this year. Hobbs and Roswell, both ranked in Class 5A’s top ten, look really tough,” said Caveman head coach John Zumbrun. “Clovis looks good too. Although they’re only 8-10, they’re capable of winning any night they take the floor.

“As for opening up district play against Clovis,” said Zumbrun, “we expect to get their best effort. They always play us tough, especially on their home court.”

The Cavemen have been preparing all season for district play. At 12-6 on the year, Zumbrun said his charges are ready.

“Our kids have been playing some good basketball. We’ve been playing three games a week for about a month now, and that’s been tough. But we’ve been going 2-1 each week, so our kids have been holding their own,” said the CHS coach. “We still have games with Goddard and Chaparral before we open up conference, though. We’re hoping we can play well there so we can tipoff district play on a positive note.” (CHS was scheduled to play Goddard on Thursday, January 23, and Chaparral on Saturday, January 25.)

In Clovis, the JVs will open up play at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity at 5:30 p.m.

Cavemen Basketball Roundup

Centennial 45, Cavemen 58:

Kyran Orgain, held to just two points in a 48-21 loss to the Las Cruces Bulldawgs, broke loose for 16 against the Centennial Hawks on Saturday, January 18.

Orgain’s effort, coupled with Shane Sullivan’s 12-point performance, led CHS past the Hawks 58-45. CHS connected on seven of 10 free throws for 70%.

Cent. 09-05-14-17--45

CHS 14-11-12-16--53

Game Stats: M. Mills 1pt; K. Orgain 16pts-3R-7A-4 Stls; Z. Huerta 5pts-1A-2 Stls; J. Herrera 2pts-1R-1 Stl; J. Chavarria 9pts-7R-1A- 3 Stls; D. Preece 3pts-1R; J. Moyers 1R-1 Stl; S. Sullivan 12pts-2R-1A; B. Sullivan 5pts-2R-1A: 2pt FG’s 17-28-60.7%; 3pt FG’s 4-23-17.4%; FT’s 7-10-70%. (HUDL Digital Stats)

Las Cruces 48, Cavemen 21

Getting the ball in the bucket wasn’t an easy task for the Cavemen against the Las Cruces Bulldawgs. CHS connected on just five of 13 two-point attempts (38.5%) and one of 18 threes (5.6%). The result, a 48-21 loss to the Dawgs.

Shane Sullivan, a 6’4” forward, the only Caveman to score in double figures, led CHS’s effort with 12 points. (Friday, January 17, in Carlsbad)

LCHS 15-09-09-15-48

CHS 06-04-04-07-21

Game Stats: T. Cornum 1A-1B; K. Orgain 2pts-6R-1B- Stl; Z. Huerta 1pt-1R-1 Stl; J. Herrera 2R-2 Stls; J. Chavarria 2pts-4R-1A-2 Stls; S. Sullivan 12pts-3R-1 Stl; B. Sullivan 4pts-3R; M. De Leo 2R; FT’s 8-11-72.7%. (HUDL Digital Stats)

Cavemen 42, Lovington 54

Carlsbad High absorbed a tough 54-42 loss to the Lovington Wildcats in Lovington on Tuesday, January 21. The loss dropped the Cavemen to 12-6.

Game stats unavailable. As of Wednesday, January 22, Hudl’s post-game stats had not posted.

CHS 16-12-05-09--42

LHS 06-20-13-15--54