The Mesquite Desert Dogs will open their second pro basketball season Wednesday night at 7 pm when they host returning league champion, Yakima Sunkings in a two game series. The games will be held at the Rising Star Sports Ranch. Doors will open at 6pm with ticket prices of $15 general admission, $10 senior and veterans and $5 kids 6-17.
The Desert Dogs just completed their pre-season training camp Sunday selecting a 13 player roster from 27 hopefuls. One glaring absence for the Mesquite squad is the lack of a true center. Based on the makeup of the team, Coach Carhnel Wiley will go with a small-ball lineup emphasizing speed. The team will feature 7 guards and 6 forwards on the roster. Last year’s point guards Jamal Peterson and Jonathon Lloyd will join newcomers Zach Cassita, Ronnie Harris, Daulton Halfacre, Stephen McCall and Darius Stewart. Cassita ‘s the oldest player on the team with extensive experience in Euro League Ball. Halfacre played the last two years in Spain. The height of the forwards runs from 6’4’ to 6’8” with no designated center. Spencer Mathis returns after playing ball once gain in Argentina. Joining Mathis will be 6’6” Dushone Brown who was one of two players drafted by the Desert Dogs after the nation- wide combines. 6’6”Tyron Criswell, University of Nevada who was MVP of the CBA in 2017, Brandon Mitchell who played at San Jose State 2013-2017, JC player Nick Smiley and Don Muepo South Alabama round out the roster.
The Desert Dogs could have their hands full with last year’s champion Sunkings who return 7 players. The Dogs will face the Yakima squad, as they did last year, in their first 4 games of the season. The Sunkings have been practicing together for the past three weeks. The Desert Dogs lost those four games which eventually coat them a playoff spot. Regardless of the outcome, this is pro basketball, exciting and fast paced. The biggest move the team has made is reducing ticket prices giving basketball fans the opportunity to enjoy the sport.
