Lady Cats fall to Hobbs, notch No. 14 seed in 5A

Clovis High girls basketball team loses district title game but earns state tournament berth

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Clovis High girls basketball team suffered a 73-41 loss to top-ranked Hobbs in the District 4-5A championship game on Saturday. However, the Lady Cats earned the No. 14 seed in the upcoming Class 5A state tournament and will face third-seeded Rio Rancho in the first round on Friday night.

Why it matters

Hobbs has been a powerhouse in Class 5A girls basketball, and the lopsided loss to the Lady Eagles highlights the challenge Clovis faces in trying to make a deep playoff run. However, the Lady Cats' ability to earn a state tournament berth despite their regular season struggles shows the team's resilience and potential.

The details

Hobbs jumped out to a 22-6 lead in the second quarter and never looked back, led by 16 points from eighth-grader Xoey Ross, 13 points from sophomore Kareli Rivera, and 12 points from senior Matysen Zepeda. Clovis was led by 13 points from senior Brynn Petner. The Lady Cats did defeat Roswell High 51-31 in the district tournament earlier in the week.

  • On Saturday, Hobbs defeated Clovis 73-41 in the District 4-5A championship game.
  • On Sunday, the NMAA announced the Class 5A state tournament pairings, with Clovis earning the No. 14 seed and a first-round matchup against third-seeded Rio Rancho on Friday night.

The players

Xoey Ross

An eighth-grader who led Hobbs with 16 points in the district title game.

Kareli Rivera

A sophomore guard who scored 13 points for Hobbs.

Matysen Zepeda

A senior guard who scored 12 points for Hobbs.

Brynn Petner

A senior guard who led Clovis with 13 points.

Amy Hilburn

The head coach of the Clovis High girls basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Our defense was pretty good. We just turned the ball over too many times, and that led to transition opportunities for them. But our kids didn't stop fighting, and I'm proud of them for that.”

— Amy Hilburn, Clovis High girls basketball coach (The Eastern New Mexico News)

“We came out ready from the tip. That was kind of the goal, especially since we didn't do that the last time.”

— Amy Hilburn, Clovis High girls basketball coach (The Eastern New Mexico News)

“McKenna had a good game today. She needed to have one, and I think the team needed her to have one.”

— Amy Hilburn, Clovis High girls basketball coach (The Eastern New Mexico News)

“I think we played together as a team. It was our last home game with this group of seniors, and we all kind of wanted to play well for them.”

— McKenna Weaver, Clovis High junior forward (The Eastern New Mexico News)

“After halftime, I think we kind of put it together.”

— McKenna Weaver, Clovis High junior forward (The Eastern New Mexico News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.