Ashlee Pierson probably could be starting, but she’s adjusted to her role as “sixth man” with the Clovis High Lady Wildcats.

Pierson has had several solid games for Clovis, beginning with an eight-point, four-rebound outing in a season-opening 40-32 win at Portales in late November. First-year coach Jeff Reed said he likes bringing the 5-foot-7 inch sophomore off the bench, which he usually does early, to bring some energy to the court.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said Pierson, who is averaging around eight points and five rebounds a game. “Coach Reed pushes us. When I come off the bench, I go out there and play my heart out.”

Pierson and the Lady Cats (15-4), winners of 11 of its last 12 games, begin a busy weekend with a 7 p.m. tipoff at Artesia today. They come back to Rock Staubus Gym to host Roswell Goddard at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Pierson said the Lady Cats don’t know much about Artesia.

“I’m confident we’ll do good,” she said.

Pierson admitted she was a little scared early in the season, moving up from the middle school level to the high school varsity. But she’s comfortable now.

“It really doesn’t matter to me if I start,” she said. “I just love the game of basketball.”

The Lady Cats have beaten Artesia (9-10) in each of the last three years, each time after the Lady Bulldogs brought in a glossy record.

Artesia was 16-3 when it came to The Rock in 2006 and absorbed a 61-27 pasting. The Lady Bulldogs were 13-5 before losing at home to Clovis 62-35 in 2007, then were 14-5 prior to a 52-32 loss to Clovis last season.

“They don’t have a great record, but they did beat (Clovis’ District 4-5A rival) Hobbs at Artesia,” Reed said. “This’ll be a good road test for us. We need something like this before we get to district.”

Clovis clobbered Goddard  57-37 last Saturday at The Rock in the Milk Cow Classic.

Goddard is struggling with numbers this season and the Lady Rockets have struggled to a 4-15 mark.

 
Clovis (15-4) as Artesia (9-10) and vs.
When: 7 p.m. today
Redio: KCLV-FM 99.1.
On the Net: kclvsports.com