Ilana Hambro is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesquite High School for AZPreps365.

Mesquite came into Wednesday's game sensing it would be an exciting place to play even though from the start the Wildcats knew they were underdogs. 

The Wildcats entered confidently, working hard every second. But it wasn't enough as No. 6 Brophy cruised to an 80-63 win in the first round of the AIA Open Division state basketball tournament.

Despite the loss, Mesquite coach Shawn Lynch said his team walked into the gym ready to fight. 

“We came ready to play but we didn't make plays that we needed to, especially early in the game,” Lynch said. “I mean, we missed a lot of shots inside, five, six, eight-footers, we gave up some offensive boards. They also shot it really well. I thought we over-helped at times and then couldn’t even close out on their shooters.” 

Mesquite experienced a slow start with two missed baskets right out of the tip-off but maintained strong defense when the Broncos attacked the paint.

“I always think our guys work hard. They do,” Lynch said. “I thought that there were plays that we needed to make and finish at the rim that we didn’t finish.” 

With the early stuggles, the Wildcats found themselves down 20-13 at the end of the first period. 

Some plays were completed with style. Jamel Gutierrez-Ellis made a nice pass from under the basket to Desean Middlebrook to inch the score to 35-22. Still, difficulty would continue for the Wildcats as Brophy stretched its lead to 37-22 just before halftime.

Lynch saw the inconsistency. “[We have to] make plays, have confidence, take them to the rim hard, make that extra pass, be ready to dip into the shot, catch and shoot,” he said.

The energy in the gym roared into the third quarter as Mesquite recognized openings in the paint when Devone Pless drove hard to the rim, drawing a foul and making both free throws. Pless finished with 14 points.

“I am kind of upset but I think that we played hard so I’m not really that mad about it,” Pless said. “I wish we could have finished that game out. Just not giving up at all.”

With a powerful defense from Jaylen Wollangk and a few late 3s, one from Pless and another from CohenJ Gonzales, who finished with 15 points,  Mesquite continued its fight into the fourth. But it wasn't enough.

“We were all frustrated, a little sad, mad, just all those feelings, but we know that we have another opportunity, we have another life to keep going,” Gonzales said. 

The Wildcats look ahead to Thursday when they will play for the 4A Desert Sky state championship title. 

Lynch said the team will learn from this, especially with its “no-excuses” focused program. Lynch will utilize the loss to get into a routine and prepare for the state tournament.

“We just go back to work tomorrow and regroup,” Lynch said. “We talk about body language because body language I think reveals your character. It shows confidence in your teammates and really promotes next-play mentality. For us it's the next game.”