Clovis junior Matt Woodbury fires a perimeter shot during the Wildcats’ Monday afternoon shootaround. The Wildcats (17-2) travel to Artesia tonight.

There’s a riddle that states a person can only run into a forest until he reaches the middle — because then, he’s running out of the forest.

Clovis, in essence, is running out of season. Tuesday against Artesia will be the Wildcats’ 20th game, and the home schedule only has three more regular-season dates.

As the season gets smaller, the impact of losses gets bigger.

“I think every game from here on out is critical,” Clovis coach J.D. Isler said. “We don’t have much time to make up for it if we suffer a loss.”

Clovis (17-2) took a pair of wins last week over Lubbock Christian and Goddard, following a loss two Saturdays ago at Rio Rancho Cleveland.

“I feel like we recovered well, and Lincoln Nora gave us a great rebounding game Satuday,” junior Matt Woodbury said. “We’ve just got to get stronger inside, improve our rebounding and get after every (loose ball) we can.”

Including Tuesday’s game at Artesia, the next three are on the road for the Wildcats, including games next week at Lovington and the District 4-5A opener at Hobbs.

Isler said scouting reports on the Bulldogs indicate they’re very similar to Goddard, who fell to Clovis 73-50 Saturday night. But consistency is the question, as they’ve beaten Carlsbad and lost to Santa Teresa.

If Clovis can beat the Bulldogs on the road and get healhier, Isler would call that a good week.

“Lathan Lieb’s been really sick the last few days, so that’s a concern for us. Lincoln’s wrist is a little sore, but he’ll be OK,” Isler said. “One game this week will be good. It will give us a chance to rest up for a tough week.”

Notes: Lieb leads three Clovis players in double figures, averaging 22.6 points per game. Sophomore D.J. Blackmon (13.4) and senior Craig Cook (10.9) follow him. … Sophomore point guard John Dawson averages a team-high 6.7 assists to go with 6.7 points per game. … Nora is averaging 7.9 rebounds a night, followed by Cook (6.6) and Blackmon (6.1).

CHS BOYS CAPSULE
Clovis (17-2) at Artesia (15-6)
7 p.m. today
Radio: KCLV-AM 1240, KTQM-FM 99.9.
Last time out: Clovis won its second straight, 73-50 over Roswell Goddard. The Bulldogs defeated Chaparral 66-53 to snap a two-game losing streak.
Last meeting: 2010, Clovis cruised past the Bulldogs 78-43.
Bulldogs players to watch: Josh Houghtaling, 6-2, Sr., C; Koby Caton, 5-9, Sr., G; Eric Weller, 6-5, Sr., C.

— Compiled by Kevin Wilson