Mesquite Magic Has Successful Summer

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

“Super proud and surprised all at the same time,” said Head Coach Koko Davis of the Mesquite Magic Basketball Youth Program.

The Mesquite Magic has attended several tournaments this summer, most notably the Utah Summer Games in Cedar City, Utah, and the Main Event in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team has seend great results.

The Utah Summer Games competition for Youth Basketball was held on June 21-22. The Mesquite Magic took 4 teams, 5th/6th grade boys, 7th grade boys, 8th grade boys, and 8th grade girls teams.

“It was a good tournament,” Davis said. “Good competition, a good amount of teams, and some really good talent. I am proud of them and they surprised me in the outcome.”

The 5th/6th grade boys team went 4-1 and captured the bronze as they placed 3rd in the tournament.
The 7th grade boys did not place but they played hard and had probably the most competitive teams to play. They went 1-3 and only lost a couple by 5 points or less.
The 8th grade boys took 3rd as well as the 8th grade girls.

“We had some strong play from the kids on the 8th-grade teams,” said Coach Davis. “They mustered up everything they could for their skills and energy and we were able to get the bronze.”

After the Utah Summer Games, the Mesquite Magic then took their 8th Grade Boys Team and Varsity Girls Team to a huge tournament in Las Vegas, The Main Event was held during the weekend of July 8-11.

“This tournament had teams come from all over the nation,” said Davis. “The teams did me really proud and showed to some of the bigger teams, that we are magic.”

The 8th Grade Boys started on July 8 playing Elevation Flyers out of CO, and losing 36-64. They lost their 2nd game 43-60 to Limitless out of California. They got on to the winning track on Friday, July 9 with a win over ECBA 8th Pioneers Murphy II out of Washington, beating them 58-34. Then on Saturday, July 10, they beat ECBA 8th Pioneers Murphy I out of Washington 37-36. They finished the tournament on Sunday, July 11 barely losing by 5 to EM Flight out of Utah; 43-48.

The Varsity Girls went 1-3 for the tournament as they played first against Austin United in Texas, dropping the game 27-32 on July 8. On July 9th, the girls went on to win their one victory at the tournament against Laky TKO out of CA by a score of 28-23. Friday and Saturday, they suffered their biggest losses to Utah NLB 25-49 and Hawaii Select 25-49.

“This was a great tournament for them to get some good playing experience and learn from these other teams,” said Davis. “I am extremely proud of all that they have been able to accomplish.”

The players mentioned for outstanding play were Malachi Davis, Aiden Argaze, for offensive and overall play; and Eliam Pinto for defensive play.
As for the girl’s, Davis said Hannah Waite has really done amazing work.

“I just can’t give enough praise about these kids and their work ethic,” said Davis. “I will always be super proud of them.”