#2 Mesquite edges #1 Seton Catholic

January 26, 2023 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Mesquite's Lucy Fisher (3) beats Seton's defense for a second-half layup in Wildcats' 46-45 victory on Thursdsay night. (Azpreps365 photo)

4A girls hoops powers Seton Catholic and Mesquite split their Desert Sky Region games for the second year in a row. And for the second year in a row it wasn't advantageous to be the host school.

#2 Mesquite rallied from a 14-5 deficit late in the first quarter, eventually forging a topsy-turvy, fourth quarter with top-ranked Seton. The result was a 46-45 Wildcats' victory on Thursday night at Seton's John McMahon Gymnasium. Seton won the other meeting earlier this month decisively, 65-46.

Mesquite's victory ties Seton for the region lead. The schools have identical records --18-5 overall, 6-1 in region. Each has three region games remaining. 

Senior point guard Mya Way and sophomore forward Navae Guidry keyed Mesquite's come-from-behind win. They combined for Mesquite's final 16 points over the last 5 minutes, 20 seconds.

Way netted 12 of those via two treys, 4 of 4 free throws and a length-of-floor-layup. Guidry connected on 4 of 4 free throws in the final 2:30. The last two charity tosses broke a 44-44 tie with 20.8 seconds left and proved decisive. Seton had a chance to tie with 3.6 seconds left with Carmella Gallardo drawing a foul and going to the line for two shots. Gallardo made the first, missed the second. Time ran out as the players scrambled for possession.

Way paced Mesquite with 15 points -- all scored in the second half and 12 in the fourth quarter. Guidry added 10 points. Seton's scoring leaders were  Caitlyn Benally with 16 points and Gallardo with 12.

Both schools play their third region game this week on Friday. Mesquite hosts Saguaro and Seton visits Marcos de Niza.