The Carlsbad Cavegirl varsity basketball team won a home playoff game against Cleveland (Rio Rancho), 36-24 on Friday night. Supported by a great crowd, the Cavegirls pulled ahead to an early lead and held off several comeback attempts. Carlsbad’s award winning BPA program was also introduced at halftime. 

The girls, who hold the state’s No. 4 seed, will play against No. 5 La Cueva at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday in the Pit in Albuquerque. The Cavegirls bus received a community sendoff Monday afternoon when they hit the road. District rival Hobbs handily won its first round and will play Sandia on Tuesday. 

In boys basketball, Carlsbad lost to La Cueva, 57-56, in a heartbreaker on Saturday night. Congratulations to the Cavemen on a great season this year, which included winning a district championship. Carlsbad district rival Hobbs has also been eliminated by Organ Mountain. 

Also this week, the Cavemen Classic Baseball Tournament will run from March 9-11. Carlsbad’s baseball team currently has a 5-2 record for the season, but has been pursuing the toughest opponents it can in order to remain competitive. Carlsbad will host Alamogordo at 6 p.m. on Thursday for the first round of the tournament. The Ralph Bowyer Invitational Track Meet begins on Thursday, and the Cavern City Classic Tennis Tournament begins on Friday. Carlsbad’s golf team will compete in Roswell.  It should be a great week for local sports.

From the office of Mayor Dale Janway