Mexico Pins Boonville For 12th Win Of Season

In a game that could have been mistaken for a wrestling match, particularly early on; the Mexico Bulldogs defeated the Boonville Pirates, 66-40, Monday night at the MHS Sportsplex. The win elevated the Bulldogs to 12-5 on the year. BHS fell to 7-10.

The two teams tussled early on with Mexico taking it’s first lead thanks to its defense. Jaydon Eldridge got a deflection in the backcourt that was picked up by Jordan Shelton for a reverse lay-in. It was 9-8 Mexico at the 1:10 mark of the first quarter. MHS trailed 13-11 after one frame.

The Bulldogs took the lead for good at the 4:14 mark of the 2nd quarter, when PJ Perkins hit for a 14-footer from just outside the free throw line. The score was 16-15 and it was the start of a 7-0 run that give the Dawgs momentum. They extended the run to 11-2 and were ahead at the half 27-21.

The Mexico offense took over in the second half as they scored 23 in the third and 22 in the fourth quarters. Officiating stepped in in the fourth as tempers got heated on both sides. “They’re a good ballclub. Two scrappy teams going at it,” said Mexico Head Coach Darren Pappas. “We have to realize we are going to get everyone’s best shot as we go down the stretch.”

The Bulldogs did something in this contest they haven’t done a lot of this year. They hit their free throws, going 6-of-6 in the fourth and 11-of-14 overall. Not bad for a team averaging 53% from the charity stripe on the year.

DJ Long led Mexico with 22 points, while Jordan Shelton chipped in 15 and PJ Perkins added 12. Jackson Johns led Boonville with 12 points.

In the junior varsity game, Bosco Nunnelly’s Mexico JV improved to 7-0 with a 57-48 win over BHS. Kaden Benne hit for 18, while Aiden Knipfel added 13.