ortales senior Gabby Garcia battles Clovis senior Ashlee Pierson for a loose ball during a game played earlier this season at Clovis' Rock Staubus Gym. Portales' squads travel to rival Lovington tonight to play their District 4-3A openers.

Boys
Portales (12-7, 0-0 District 4-3A)
at Lovington, (11-10, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. today
Radio: KSEL-FM 105.9
Last time out: Portales lost to Roswell High 70-61 on Jan. 28, while Lovington beat Ruidoso 62-42 last Tuesday.
Last meeting: The Rams lost at Lovington in late February last season in the District 4-3A tournament championship game.
Wildcats players to watch: Robert Hargrove, G, 5-8, Sr., G; Jaden Swenson, 5-10, Sr., F; Robert Perez, 6-2, Sr, G.
About Lovington: The Wildcats are led by a core of seniors who have played together for more than three years. Nearly everyone from the team that went to the state quarterfinals last year is back. The hallmark here is size, speed and athleticism.
What to expect: Portales looks for Lovington to come out with full-court pressure. If the Wildcats get hurt doing that, they’ll drop back into a 3-2 zone. “We have to get back quickly in transition,” Portales coach Mark Gallegos said. “They like to get it and go and they want to play that game.”

Girls
Portales (12-7 0-0 District 4-3A) at Lovington (16-4, 1-0)
When: 5:30 p.m. today
Radio: KSEL-FM 105.9
Last time out: Portales lost at Hobbs 29-23 on Jan. 28, while Lovington opened district play with a 75-63 win over Ruidoso.
Last meeting: Portales swept Lovington last season, including the district tournament championship.
Lady Wildcats players to watch: Mystica Perez, 5-5, Jr., PG; Kenzie Black, 5-10 Sr., F; Jordyne Young, 5-5, Jr, F.
About Lovington: According to Portales coach Clay Stout, the top-ranked Lady Wildcats have a lot of weapons, including point guard Mystica Perez, who scored 30-plus points against Clovis. Defensively they run a lot of different looks.
What to expect: “We’ve got to rebound well on both ends and take care of the ball,” Stout said. “We want to control the tempo, get ‘em in a half-court game and dig in and play great defense.”

— Compiled by Karl Terry