By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
It might be the offseason, but the Mesquite Desert Dogs haven’t become dormant in their commitment to the Mesquite community. The pro-basketball team hosted its first-ever summer youth camp last week. The camp saw over twenty children in attendance, ranging in from elementary to high school age.
The Desert Dogs team, now about to enter its third season, is seeking new opportunities to develop stronger ties with the Mesquite residents. This camp was one of their many ideas in doing so.
Immediately upon entering the gym at the Mesquite Recreation Center, it was clear that Desert Dogs Head Coach Carlnel Wiley had captured the attention of the twenty boys and girls who were there.
The kids were all eager to learn and Wiley was motivated to teach. Alongside Wiley was a handful of the Desert Dogs players, including twin brothers Micah and AJ Shepard.
“I want to see my players in the community,” said Coach Wiley, “We have to have great character guys in this town and one of the best things I can see in the players on my team is how they are around children.”
During a break after the kids wrapped up ball handling drills, Wiley could be seen teaching about the little things in basketball. He quizzed his students by asking how many variations of basketball courts there are. He went on to teach about the court’s dimensions at all levels of the game.
“You have to know your history and know of basketball,” Wiley said. “You have to know the simple things. I want to be a teacher at all times.”
Destry, a seventh grader and one of the camp’s attendees, said that he learned more than basketball during the week. “They’ve taught us to be a good person off the court and on the court and to have a good attitude,” he said.
Wiley defended this sentiment. “Life is more than just basketball,” he said. “You can have fun with this game but you have to have patience.”
The Desert Dogs players were patient in their coaching style as the campers ran drills when Wiley divided them into three stations. When Coach Wiley and his players interacted with the campers, it was clear the team was focused on building both friendships and mentorships with the local youth.
There were established inside jokes that seamlessly accompanied genuine basketball insight. The atmosphere was conducive to both education and excitement.
“I think if the kids in this day and age feel loved and wanted, we can go out and have some fun,” said Coach Wiley.
Wiley then went on to explain what he appreciates most with the youngest age groups: their ability to learn. “This age group is the best,” he said. “If you have patience with them, they’re a sponge. They’ll take something away from this camp. It may be the littlest thing, but if they take something away, that’s all I want.”
“This is a small town and it’s beautiful and I want the fans to know I’m going to be in the community doing everything I can for the youth,” said Wiley.
Just minutes later, Wiley’s actions echoed this ambition as he high-fived one camper and helped another through a footwork drill.
The Mesquite Desert Dogs are quietly becoming a staple of both compassion and competitiveness in this small yet enthusiastic community. As their outreach grows, the team can only ascend farther into their connection with their community.
