BASKETBALL

Cavegirls pummel Artesia

Matt Hollinshead
Carlsbad Current-Argus
Carlsbad freshman guard Carsyn Boswell makes a layup in the second quarter Friday against Artesia.

CARLSBAD -- As the number of scoring contributions grew for the Carlsbad girls basketball, the score differential against Artesia kept growing.

In the end, 10 Cavegirls helped the cause en route to a 65-29 home win Friday over the Lady Bulldogs.

"Everyone was getting shots up. Once they got it going, it just picked up from there," senior guard Caitlin Carrasco said.

Carlsbad started off with some swift scores in the paint against Artesia's undersized posts before branching out for long-range jumpers and 3-pointers.

The Cavegirls began widening their lead toward the end of the second quarter, leading 28-17 at halftime.

Carlsbad still attacked the post and on the fast break in the third quarter, getting to the foul line multiple times.

Senior guard Kloey Tiller knocked down a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter, all from the far left corner.

"Carlsbad got hot and hit some 3s on us. We got in that zone, and they hit some shots on us," Artesia coach Jeff Houghtaling said.

Even with the game being all but finalized, the Cavegirls continued to attack the basket and score in different spots - all while getting big stops and steals all night on defense.

Freshman guard Carsyn Boswell and Tiller scored 16 and 13 points, respectively. Senior forward Rylan Gonsalez, junior centers Kim Best and Teagan Rogers and junior guard Lauryn Wade combined for 24 points, 13 rebounds and four steals. Carrasco, senior forward Katelyn Clarkston, junior forward Kaysha Montoya and freshman guard Nyah Chacon combined for 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine steals.

"It's always definitely good to see the offense just explode and see everybody contributing as much as they possibly can," sophomore point guard Mariel Gomez said.

Gomez, though scoreless, had 10 assists, five rebounds and a steal.

"They've got a lot of depth, and they're a good team. They've been beating all year long. It wasn't a surprise that they've got kids that can score," Houghtaling said.

Artesia freshman center Paityn Houghtaling led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points.

Despite his team's defeat, Jeff Houghtaling said Friday was a "step in the right direction" when it comes to his offense.

"We're still struggling with the pressure, but I think it's our best matchup yet against them," he said.

Carlsbad (17-2) will host Clovis at 7 p.m. Tuesday to open District 4-6A competition.

CARLSBAD 65, ARTESIA 29

Up next for Carlsbad: 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Clovis

Up next for Artesia: 5:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Ruidoso

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.