Jeff Reed hasn’t seen the Hobbs girls basketball team in person, but he has a pretty good idea what to expect from watching the Lady Eagles on film.

Clovis High’s girls host Hobbs in their District 4-5A opener Saturday at Rock Staubus Gym.

Both teams come in hot, but Reed believes if the Lady Cats (16-5) play well they’ll be all right.

“If we play good and execute, we can win,” said Reed, whose team has won eight in a row and 11 of its last 12. “The big thing is we’re going to have to play good, solid defense.”

Hobbs (15-7, 1-0 district) opened 4-5A action on Tuesday with a narrow 47-44 win over Carlsbad at home. The Cavegirls missed all 15 of their 3-point shots in the contest, including one at the buzzer that would have forced overtime.

Hobbs has won six in a row and nine of 10.

The Lady Cats, who have been at home almost exclusively since the latter part of December, are facing their first big test in a while.

“I just really want to beat Hobbs,” senior forward Ashlee Pierson said. “I just want to do my part and, hopefully, all of us will work together as a team.”

Reed said the Lady Eagles, coached by former CHS assistant Johnny Casaus, substitute liberally and rely on pressure defense. “They get after you, and we’ve got to handle it,” Reed said.

Junior guard Kirsti Shough, the team’s top 3-point threat this season, is set to return to action after missing six games with a broken thumb. Reed said she’ll play, but won’t start.

“Hopefully, she can go in and knock down some shots for us,” he said.

Reed said the injury has allowed the Lady Cats to develop some depth, which could pay off down the stretch.

“It’s really great to have her back,” Pierson said of Shough’s return. “She was busting her 3s (during Thursday’s practice).

“They really want to beat us. We just have to try to keep it going.”

Hobbs (15-7, 1-0 District 4-5A) at Clovis (16-5, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Radio: KCLV-FM 99.1
Last time out: Clovis easily extended its winning streak to eight with a 78-26 rout of Roswell Goddard on Saturday at The Rock. Hobbs opened district play Tuesday at home by beating Carlsbad 47-44.
Last meeting: 2010 District 4-5A championship, Clovis won 62-41.
Common opponents: The teams have each faced Alamogordo, Amarillo High, Artesia, Las Cruces High, Portales, Roswell Goddard and Roswell High. Clovis is 7-2 in those games, including three wins over Portales, while Hobbs is 8-1, splitting with Roswell High and posting two wins over Las Cruces High.
Hobbs player to watch: Summer Patterson, 5-7, Sr., F.
Clovis injuries: Junior G Kirsti Shough, who has missed six games with a broken bone in her right thumb suffered Jan. 14 against Alamogordo, returned to practice Thursday and is expected to see some action tonight.

— Compiled by Dave Wagner