Getting an early jump on the opposition has been one of the keys to success lately for Mexico High School basketball boys.
The Bulldogs improved their varsity record to 14-5 overall and 5-2 conference with Friday night’s 58-43 decision at NCMC rival Marshall. Mexico has won six games in a row and eight of its last nine going into a pair of home appearances this week.
“We played really well for three quarters; the fourth quarter was a little sloppy, but we got everybody in and everybody scored, so that was a good deal also, ” MHS coach Brennan Scanlon said.
The Bulldogs led 17-9, 36-18 and 48-26 at the quarters, riding the hot hand of Austin Reed, who led all scorers with 25 points.
“Austin’s been coming into his own since Christmas. He was scoring from everywhere,” the MHS coach noted.
Rounding out the Mexico point total were Sam Kelly, Marcus Bush and Colby Willer with 5P each, plus Ta’Juan Williams 4P, Regan Mudd and Scott Barker 3P apiece and Kurt Loyd, Tyus Williams, JaKarr Curtis and Dillion Shoemaker 2P each. Kelly also had 5A/3S and Bush 2A/3S.
The Bulldogs, who held the opposition under 46 points for a  fifth straight outing, take a break from league play Tuesday when Helias comes to town for V/JV games. NCMC rival Kirksville rounds out the week Friday at the MHS sports complex.
MEXICO JV BOYS: It was a good night Friday for the junior varsity Bulldogs, 49-20 winners at Marshall. Mexico led 25-10 at halftime after a 16-3 second period.
“We held them to five field goals in the game while having 10 guys score and 13 play,” MHS coach Tyler Hudson said. “It was a great all-around effort. We beat a team that beat us earlier in the year and we have a two-game winning streak going into a big week of four games in four nights.”
For the 6-3 Bulldogs, who have their own tournament coming up Wednesday and Thursday, DJ Nunnelly led the way with 16P and Shia Miller added 7P.
MEXICO G9 BOYS: Also in action Friday at Marshall, these Bulldogs improved their record to 12-4 with a 54-40 triumph. Mexico led 12-8, 26-15 and 39-27 at the quarters.
“We continued our winning ways after a long trip,” MHS coach Shane Ringen said. “We did exactly what we worked on in practice and talked about before the game.
“We stepped up our defense and shut down their main scorers,” he continued. “On the offensive side, we pushed the ball, but were patient when we didn’t have anything off the break”
For the Bulldogs, Jake Willer netted 20P, Jay Barnhart 16P and Jaeon Nunnelly 5P. Mexico makes its final home appearance of the season Friday, taking on Kirksville at Gooch Gym.
MEXICO G7 GIRLS: First place in their own tournament went to the Lady Bulldogs by a 31-26 margin Saturday over Troy. Mexico finished the seasosn with a 9-6 record.
“We started off strong, but got into foul trouble and were only up by one at halftime,” MMS coach Josie Stewart said. “At the end of the third quarter, we found ourselves down by one, but we did a better job defensively in the fourth quarter, kept attacking and got them into foul trouble.”
For Mexico, which scored nine of the game’s first 12 points, Karen Baker had 19P/4S, Danielle Baumgartner 6P/6S/10R, Haley Test 3P/4S/6R, Sydney Schutte 2P/1S, Kelsie McCubbins 1P/1S/1R and Nikki Hitchcock 4S.
“I really think the difference maker in this game were free throws,” the MMS coach said. “Karen kept getting fouled and she kept hitting, making 11 out of 12 attempts.”
Area Hoops: Weekend trophy game scores from the 26th annual Sturgeon Invitational follow below. Game details will appear Tuesday.
Boys – First, Sturgeon 78, Paris 47; third, New Bloomfield 76, Wellsville-Middletown 50; fifth, Westran 56, South Callaway 45.
Girls – First, Sturgeon 60, Paris 46; third, Community R-6 40, South Callaway 29; fifth, Wellsville-Middletown 50, Madison 36.