Mexico Boys Win See-saw Affair In Lindbergh Tournament Action

The Mexico High School boys, seeded 3rd, advanced from the opening round of the Lindbergh High School Basketball Tournament Monday night with a 66-48 win over #6 Francis Howell North. While they gained their 10th win of the season, they may have lost a key part of their offense as senior guard Jordan Shelton went down with a high-ankle sprain midway through the 4th quarter.

The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game at the 4:12 mark of the first quarter on an Anthony Shivers three, 7-6. Layups by Jordan Shelton and DJ Long stretched the lead to 11-10, before Mexico went on an 18-2 run.

MHS led 19-12 after one and 37-19 at the half.

However the Knights weren’t done for the night. Led by 6’6″ Center Ryan Murdock, who finished with a game high 26 points, Francis Howell North (4-8) scratched back to make it 37-30 with an 11-0 run to start the third.

After not one, but two timeouts from Head Coach Darren Pappas, the boys finally responded as Dante Kelley got a steal and then hit a layup. He was fouled and converted the free throw for an and-1. Shelton then added a bucket as Mexico extended back into double digits.

The Dawgs uncharacteristically hit their free throws down the stretch, 14-of-20 overall, and came away with an 18-point win.

Shelton’s availability going forward is unknown at this time. He finished with a team high 23 points, while Long added 19.

Seven other players got in the book including Shivers with seven, Kaden Benne added four, Jaydon Eldridge, Kelly and Donye Nunnelly each had three, while PJ Perkins had two and Aiden Knipfel had one.

Mexico will face #2 Westminster in semi-final action of the tourney tonight (Tuesday) at 8:15pm. Westminster handled Riverview Gardens 44-32, behind Kobi Williams’ 32 point effort.