Trinity Christian (21-3)
at Clovis (10-6)
6:30 p.m., Rock Staubus Gym
Radio: KCLV-AM 1240, KICA-FM 98.3.
Trinity players to watch: Sr. G Tyler Kennedy, Sr. PG Luke Adams.
Last meeting: 2008, Clovis defeated the Lions 78-55 in a game played at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock.
Last time out: The Lubbock-based Lions are coming off a three-point loss to Lubbock Estacado, which beat District 4-5A rival Hobbs, and have a December win over perennial power Palo Duro, then ranked second in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 4A poll. Clovis is coming off a 68-46 road loss to Highland, Class 5A’s top-ranked team.
What to expect: A good game for the Lions includes double-figure 3-point baskets, and Kennedy isn’t the only one with NBA shooting range. “We haven’t faced the kind of shooting team they are. We’ve got to be able to get out and defend beyond the range we’re used to.” Isler said senior post Jaye Crockett will likely have to start carrying more of the scoring load as he did early in the season. After averaging nearly 35 a game in Clovis’ first two weeks, his average is now 28 a night.
Quotable: “We’re at the point we’ve got to turn the corner. We’ve got to start getting some wins. Playing people tough isn’t good enough. We’ve got to get quality wins. The selection process is going to be here before you know it.” — Isler.