Clovis West proves again 'tradition doesn't graduate' in winning another section title
The faces have changed with a completely different nucleus formed to replace the one that captured a state championship.
But when it comes to Clovis West High girls basketball, some things just keep staying the same.
Like another Central Section title.
Heavily recruited junior Madison Campbell, the new linchpin to Clovis West’s dominance on the court, scored a game-high 20 points with seven rebounds, and freshman Nikki Tom added 19 points and six rebounds as the Golden Eagles captured a sixth straight section crown with a 63-49 win against Clovis North on Saturday at Selland Arena.
“Everyone thought we couldn’t do it,” Tom said. “But we believed in ourselves and pushed through.”
A year ago, Clovis West captured a CIF State Open Division championship behind a nucleus of five seniors who all went on to play Division I college basketball.
With that group well gone and enjoying success in college, Clovis West underwent quite a makeover this season while developing new players and new team chemistry.
At one point during Saturday’s championship, the Eagles had three of their five freshmen on the court.
These Eagles (30-3) didn’t blitz opponents like before or constantly apply suffocating defense.
Their style was more of a steady and methodical approach to victory, though they do prefer to play as uptempo as possible.
Campbell, a 5-foot-11 do-it-all player, led the way and showed why she currently has 21 college basketball offers, including from at least one school in each Power 5 conference.
Whenever the Broncos (26-5) tried to make a run, Campbell would make a play either with her scoring or passing to stifle any Clovis North run.
Clovis West beat Clovis North for the third time this season.
“It was emotional,” Campbell said. “We’ve really worked so hard this year. I’ve taken this team under my wings and really counseled them.
“It’s just sweet. Super satisfying.”
The creator of this Clovis West dynasty, Campbell’s father, Craig Campbell, has now won nine section Division I titles and 13 Tri-River Athletic Conference championships in his 13 years with the Eagles.
Considering the team’s makeover and quick transformation, this year’s title might have been Campbell’s most satisfying.
“Each team has its own journey,” Craig Campbell said. “We’ve had some that kind of expected (to win the section title). That was not the case this year.
“This group of kids have heard for 12 months that our run was over and they were done. I think that fueled them all year.
"We have a saying 'Tradition doesn't graduate,'" Campbell added. "It’s just a remarkable job by these kids."
This story was originally published March 3, 2018 at 8:10 PM with the headline "Clovis West proves again 'tradition doesn't graduate' in winning another section title."