Beyond Basketball: Coach Gonzales Builds a Culture of Family at Mesquite High
Tristan Chavez
Candice Gonzales, Mesquite High School’s dedicated girls’ basketball coach, has been honored with the Spirit of Cotton Award, a $10,000 recognition from the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. This award recognizes Coach Gonzales for embodying the “spirit” of the late, legendary Phoenix Suns head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons through her commitment to making a positive impact on her students and her community.
Throughout her 27 seasons at Mesquite High, Coach Gonzales has prioritized building a strong sense of unity within the Lady Wildcats basketball program. The team actively participates in monthly team-building activities, fostering connections through shared experiences like painting, games, outings, and movie nights. This emphasis on camaraderie extends across all levels of the girls' basketball program, not just varsity players, allowing athletes to develop meaningful relationships and understand the ins and outs of the program.
“To build a team that has a true connection, you have to spend a lot of time together both on and off the court,” said Coach Gonzales. “We truly think of ourselves as a family.”
Beyond their strong team bonds, the Lady Wildcats actively engage with and support their local communities. The team organizes and hosts basketball clinics for children and adults with developmental disabilities, creating enjoyable opportunities for engagement and learning. The team also holds an annual "shoe box drive," which has students collect small presents to be packaged in boxes and sent to local elementary schools. The Lady Wildcats also frequently support organizations like Feed My Starving Children and local food banks.
"It's been incredibly rewarding to witness these young women grow, not just as basketball players, but as individuals who are making a real difference in their community," added Coach Gonzales. "I couldn’t be more proud of everything they’ve accomplished."
The strong family-like culture cultivated by Coach Gonzales throughout her 27 seasons at Mesquite High has translated well to success on the court. This past season, she led the Lady Wildcats to a 27-2 record, earning them an #8 ranking among Arizona's best high school girls' basketball teams, according to MaxPreps. The team also went undefeated in the 4A Desert Sky Region while making a deep playoff run, where they reached the quarterfinals of the Arizona Open State Championship. Adding to these accomplishments, Coach Gonzales celebrated her 500th win at Mesquite High this year and was named the 4A Desert Sky Region Coach of the Year.
Coach Gonzales was honored during a pregame celebration ahead of the Phoenix Suns' final regular season home game on April 11th. The $10,000 recognition will further support athletic programs at Mesquite High School, ensuring continued opportunities for student-athletes. To learn more about athletic programs at Mesquite High, visit MesquiteHigh.GilbertSchools.net/Athletics.