Another day, another chance for the Clovis Wildcats to pull an upset.

“It seems like every time we turn around,” Clovis coach J.D. Isler said, “we’re playing a No. 1.”

For the second time in three games, the Wildcats are doing just that. Tonight’s opponent, Highland, is a unanimous No. 1 pick in the New Mexico High School Coaches Association poll. The Hornets (14-1) have won nine consecutive games since a 57-52 loss to Manzano in early December.

“They’re very quick and athletic,” said senior guard Tanner Adams. “They’re going to be tough, but I think if we can stay with them for three quarters, we can pull it out in the fourth with our conditioning.”

Isler said confidence isn’t lacking in Wildcat country, which helps with the tough schedule.

Clovis knocked off Manzano, the previous No. 1, with a 62-57 semifinal win Friday at the Gallup Invitational. The fourth-ranked Wildcats (10-5) lost the title game against the host Bengals Saturday night, and have since been idle.

Adams, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound guard, think the Wildcats are better than their record due to some close losses, but isn’t too concerned.

“It doesn’t matter what the record is,” Adams said. “It just matters who’s playing the best at the state tournament.”

The record’s likely to take some hits with games against Trinity Christian, Rio Rancho and Los Lunas in the fold. Even the Class 4A opponents are tough, Isler said, with Roswell High and Artesia High a combined 24-2.

“I think everyone’s going to suffer some losses, “ he said. “I think our schedule’s going to make us playoff-ready.”

Clovis (10-5) at Highland (14-1)
7 p.m. Friday
Highland players to watch: G Chad Adams (6-6, Sr.), F Jordan Howard (6-7, Sr.)
Quotable: “They are extremely athletic ... great rebounding team, they get a lot of offensive putbacks.” — Clovis coach J.D.Isler