Laketown Squadron Beats Mexico City in Home Debut
The Pelicans' G League affiliate opened its renovated Pontchartrain Center arena with a 99-86 win over the Capitanes.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Basketball
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The Laketown Squadron defeated the Mexico City Capitanes 99-86 in their first home game at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner on Saturday. Jaron Pierre Jr. led the Squadron with 23 points, and the team moved to 2-1 with the win.
Why it matters
The game marks the first home contest for the Pelicans-affiliated team after relocating from Birmingham, Alabama, to a venue closer to New Orleans. The move is intended to expand community access and support development growth in the Kenner area.
The Squadron trailed 47-44 at halftime before outscoring Mexico City to lead 71-66 after three quarters, then won the fourth by eight points. Jaron Pierre Jr. led all scorers with 23 points in the 99-86 final.
The players
Laketown Squadron
The Pelicans-affiliated G League team that relocated from Birmingham, Alabama, to play its home games in the New Orleans area.
Jaron Pierre Jr.
A Squadron guard who led the team in scoring with 23 points in the debut win.
Julian Reese
A Squadron player who scored the arena's first points and finished the game with a left-handed dunk before time expired.
The details
The arena, renamed the Waste Pro Civic Center under a naming sponsorship, was retrofitted with Squadron branding, new audio, lighting, video and locker rooms. Its video board now displays live feeds from broadcast-angle and courtside cameras, and Julian Reese scored the building's first points before closing the game with a left-handed dunk as time expired.
Timeline
Saturday: Laketown Squadron defeats the Mexico City Capitanes 99-86 in its home debut at the Pontchartrain Center.
Season Trajectory
The debut win gives the Squadron a 2-1 start while the franchise establishes its new home in the Pontchartrain Center. The relocation places the Pelicans' affiliate closer to New Orleans, a move the team says supports community access and development growth.
The Squadron's home schedule at the Pontchartrain Center gives Kenner-area fans a closer venue for games. Fantasy managers tracking Jaron Pierre Jr. and Julian Reese can use the 23-point and dunk performances as early roster reference points.
The takeaway
The debut shows how a relocated franchise can build an early identity through a renovated venue and a close finish. Fans following the team can track how the 2-1 start holds as the Squadron settles into its new home.
Further reading
For more on regional hoops, see the Basketball coverage section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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