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The host Clovis Wildcats rolled to a 52-36 victory over the Class 3A St. Michael’s Horsemen Wednesday to take third place in the Milk Cow Classic.
The Cats (6-4) utilized a game-high 19 points by senior Marcus Slocum in securing the lead early and holding it all night.
After scoring just four points Tuesday in a losing effort against El Paso Bowie, Slocum had dropped in that many before the first quarter was scarcely halfway gone. For his efforts, Slocum was named to the all-tournament team along with fellow senior Logan Turnbow.
“They’re a difficult team to play,” said Clovis coach J.D. Isler said of the Horsemen (6-4). “They’re not easy to defend, but I thought we did a good job.”
After the emotional one-point loss to Bowie, Isler said his biggest concern was his team would come out flat and get surprised.
“We expended a lot of energy last night. You have to learn to put things behind you and learn. A 3A team (like that) has nothing to lose, so I cautioned my kids not to come out flat. I think we did well in that respect.
Clovis led 11-6 after one period but began to get refueled late in the second after Slocum slammed home a pass at the basket for a 20-13 margin. Senior Kyler Brewer-Hill dropped in a pair of free throws followed by a pair from Slocum to end the half with Clovis’ first double-digit lead 24-14.
After leading all scorers Tuesday night, junior Deven Crockett didn’t get his first mark until early in the third. He immediately followed that score up with a fancy dish to Slocum underneath for a 35-22 Cat advantage. St. Mikes never threatened after that.
“I always tell my teams the first four minutes of the third period are always important,” Isler said. “We did well there tonight.”
Besides having their hands full with a team with a chip on its shoulder, St. Mike’s also had to contend with the loss of their leading scorer David Gonzales, who likely broke his foot during a Tuesday game with Santa Fe. Horsemen Coach Ron Geyer said his young team didn’t disappoint him, however.
“I knew we had to break their press and we did a pretty good job of that,” Geyer said. “I was disappointed that sometimes after we did that we took our shots too quickly. Their (Cats) inside presence really hurt us.”
Turnbow was the only other Clovis player in double figures with 12 points.
For St. Mike’s, sophomore guard Antonio Garcia dropped in 12 and sophomore post Colin Friedman scored nine.
Southwest Dairy Farmers Classic
At Rock Staubus Gym
Wednesday
Seventh place
Rio Grande 70, Los Lunas 59
Fifth place
Tascosa 66, Cooper 52
Third place
Clovis 52, St. Michael’s 36
Championship
El Paso Bowie 67, Santa Fe 40
