Basketball Game Preview: Mesquite Wildcats vs. Highland Hawks + How To Watch

The Mesquite Wildcats will face off against the Highland Hawks at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Highland will challenge a team with plenty of momentum: Mesquite extended their winning streak to five on Monday. The Wildcats blew past Desert Vista 59-28. The contest was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Wildcats had established a 24-point advantage.

Averi Mehlberg

Steals

12/01/25 vs Desert Vista	2
11/29/25 vs Xavier College Prep	2
11/29/25 vs Arizona College Prep	2
11/28/25 vs Rio Rico	2
11/28/25 vs Valley Christian	6
11/25/25 @ Gilbert	5

Mesquite's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Averi Mehlberg led the charge by going 5-for-12 to rack up 17 points. Mehlberg is also crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least two every time she's taken the court this season. Jensen Cowart was another key player, shooting 55% from the field on her way to 13 points and seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, Highland was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Tuesday as they fell 66-61 to Campo Verde. Despite running the score up even higher than they did in their prior game last Tuesday (57), the Hawks still had to take the loss.

Mesquite's victory bumped their record up to 5-1. As for Highland, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 2-1.

Everything came up roses for Mesquite against Highland in their previous matchup back in December of 2024, as the squad secured a 63-32 win. Will the Wildcats repeat their success, or do the Hawks have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.