Basketball Game Preview: Mesquite Wildcats vs. Desert Vista Thunder

The Mesquite Wildcats will take on the Desert Vista Thunder at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, both will really light up the scoreboard.

Desert Vista will be up against a hot Mesquite team: the squad just extended their winning streak to five. Mesquite claimed a resounding 92-4 victory over Westview. With the Wildcats ahead 59-4 at the half, the contest was all but over already.

Mesquite had a senior duo take command as Navae Guidry dropped a double-double on 20 points and ten rebounds and Lucy Fisher went 6 of 8 en route to 18 points along with seven boards and three steals. Guidry's evening made it five games in a row in which she has scored at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Skylie Gonzales, who went 5 for 8 on her way to 13 points and five steals.

Mesquite smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in 19 consecutive matches dating back to last season.

Meanwhile, Desert Vista faced Xavier College Prep in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. Desert Vista fell to Xavier College Prep 60-56. The loss continues a trend for the Thunder in their matchups with the Gators: they've now lost three in a row.

Mesquite pushed their record up to 17-1 with the win, which was their fifth straight on the road. The wins came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 21.8 points per game. As for Desert Vista, their defeat ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 10-7.

Mesquite beat Desert Vista 73-61 when the teams last played back in February of 2016. Does Mesquite have another victory up their sleeve, or will Desert Vista turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.