Zora Carrier
ASU Student Journalist

Mesquite turns energy around to defeat Seton Catholic, 74-56

February 1, 2022 by Zora Carrier, Arizona State University


Tip-off between the Mesquite Wildcats and the Seton Sentinels. (Zora Carrier photo/AZPrpes365)

The Mesquite Wildcats faced the Seton Sentinels at home Tuesday night following a 10-game winning streak.

With what was a neck-and-neck game throughout the first half, the Wildcats picked up their energy in the second half and defeated the Sentinels, 74-56.

Mesquite came out and started the game strong but lacked the energy they needed. Seton used that to its advantage and was able to keep the game close and put pressure on the Wildcats.

“We obviously are ranked higher, so we thought we were going to blow them out, so we came out playing a little soft and we didn't have any intensity and they came out hot, putting shots on us,” junior guard Cohenj Gonzales said.

Shooters were left open, shots were missed and the momentum had shifted to the Sentinels during the first half of the game.

Gonzales hit a three pointer to end the first half which only began the switch back in momentum with the Wildcats being able to take this game.

Wildcats head coach Shawn Lynch noticed this lack of energy in the team and had a talk with his boys in the locker room at half discussing changes that needed to be made.

“We had to pick up the energy for one, I thought we didn’t have the energy that we needed to have in the first half,” Lynch said. “Also, we needed to find shooters, we left too many guys free, trapped and then not being able to run them down and cover up so we got out of the trapping and just tried to stay home so that they didn't get as many loose threes.”

Mesquite came out for the second half with a new strategy as well as new energy and gained the momentum back immediately, which led the Wildcats to the big win they wanted.

“In the second half we had to step it up a lot because it was too close of a game. So we had to get up on the shooters, lock up and stop trapping them and just play in front of our man,” senior post Drew Cohens said.

Senior guard Nate Calmese was consistent all game, leading his team in points scoring 17 of his 31 in the first half.

Although Calmese knew something had to change both offensively and defensively for the team.

“We just had to run, get out on transition, and just push it down their throats,” Calmese said.