By Don Eskins
The 2024-25 basketball season officially gets underway for the Carlsbad Cavegirls on Saturday, November 23, at Eastlake High School in El Paso. In 2023-24, the Falcons were 10-20 on the year.
Play is scheduled to get underway in the Cavegirls season inaugural at noon for the JV’s and 1:30 p.m. for the varsity.
The Cavegirls closed out last year’s schedule at 16-13. With nine players returning for the new season, head coach Matt Enloe says his kids are excited and eager to play.
“We lost a ton of seniors following our 2022-23 season, so last year was kind of tough on us. We didn’t have many players on the floor who had a lot of experience. As a result, we also lacked depth,” said Enloe. “With the nine returnees we have and five kids we’ll be pulling up after tryouts, we’ll start out the new season 14 deep. With that many players ready to go, depth shouldn’t be a problem for us this year. As a matter of fact, it should be one of our greatest strengths.
“Another plus for us is that most of our core from last year is back. We have five seniors returning, who all got lots of playing time last year. Also, our kids won over 40 games during off-season and summer program play, which has really helped with our depth,” he said. “Right now, our staff feels comfortable with going five in and five out as our season gets ready to tip off. If we play up to our capabilities this year, I think we’re going to be in good shape.”
Cavegirls 2024-25
CHS will look to senior guard Abbey Dugan and power forward Jasmynn Gonzales for points this season. Dugan and Gonzales were CHS’s top two shooters in 2023-24. Dugan averaged 18 points per game, Gonzales 14.
Other seniors expected to play key roles in Carlsbad’s success are guards Cameron Zumbrun, Maci Garcia, and center Rebecca Brown.
As for height, Enloe said his girls should be in good shape.
“Junior Faith Kluesner, who stands 6’2” tall, will be our biggest presence under the basket. But we also expect senior Rebecca Brown, at 6’0,” to help us a lot there too,” said coach Enloe. “Senior Jasmynn Gonzales will also be a big help. Although she’s only 5’11,” she plays much taller.”
After opening up at El Paso Eastlake, Carlsbad will take on the Chaparral Lobos on the road on Tuesday, November 26. The Cavegirls won’t play at home until December 2, when they’ll entertain the Alamogordo Tigers.
Cavegirl 2024-25 Returnees: Seniors: 5’5” G Cameron Zumbrun, 5’9” SG Abbey Dugan, 5’6” F Maci Garcia, 5’11” C-PF Jasmynn Gonzales, and 6’0” C-PF Rebecca Brown; Juniors: 5’6 G Mia Payanes, 5’5” G Hayden Brose, and 6’2” C Faith Kluesner; and Sophomore: 5’5” G Thalia Payanes.
Cavegirl Staff: Head coach Matt Enloe; Assistants April Anderson, Wesley Boatwright, Rylan Gonzales, and Aaron Guevara.
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