CANYON, Texas — Clovis coach J.D. Isler knows he needs to be patient as the Wildcats try to replace eight players from last year’s state runner-up team.

“The problem is that is not one of my strong virtues,” Isler said after Canyon rallied to beat Clovis 62-53 on Tuesday in a boys basketball game.

Guards Chris Rholen and Bryce Bamard fueled Canyon’s fourth-quarter rally, combining for 18 of the team’s 24 points.

“We had a couple of defensive breakdowns and gave us some really easy buckets,” Isler said. “They kind of got the momentum at the right time.”

Jaye Crockett scored 23 points for the Wildcats, who took a 43-38 lead into the fourth quarter.

“We really don’t have any flow to our game,” Isler said. “We’re a team of spurts.”

Isler said Canyon played a zone to try and neutralize the 6-foot-7 Crockett, the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder last year.

“They double-teamed Jaye and we didn’t make them pay for it,” he said. “Our guards didn’t attack the zone.”

Bryan Pierson added 12 points for the Wildcats (1-1), who played without injured returning senior guard Stefan Mills for a second-straight game.

Rholen led the Class 3A Eagles with 15 points, Bamard added 14 and post Zach Dominguez chipped in 12.

Isler said what the Wildcats need is some practice time, but with five games in six days starting Thursday that’s not going to happen. “We’re going to have to fix it on the run.”

Isler also said he needs better leadership from his seniors.

Clovis plays Cibola at 2:45 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the Albuquerque Academy Tournament.