Mexico High School basketball girls didn’t take the air out of the ball Thursday night, not at all, but they did eliminate the suspense early.
Up 18-0 after the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs led 36-7 by halftime and eventually took a 68-20 varsity decision over NCMC rival Marshall at the MHS sports complex.
“Our girls are really focusing on the defensive side and they made things difficult for Marshall,” MHS coach Ed Costley observed.
Mexico shot 42 percent from the field, limiting the Lady Owls to a 7-for-37 effort in response, and connected on six 3-pointers. The Lady Bulldogs controlled the boards with a 38-28 rebounding edge which included 17 offensive boards and forced Marshall into 28 turnovers.
For the Lady Bulldogs, now 12-6 overall and 6-1 conference, Danielle Ingrum had 16P/6R/3A/8S and 1 block, Brooke Costley 11P/5R/3A, Erika Miller 10P/10R/2A/4S and 1 block, Kelsey Creed 8P/2R/2A/1S, Erin Slay 8P/1R/1A, Klaira Ekern 5P/2R/1A/3S, Delaney McNeil 4P/1R/1A/2S, Sherrell Cooks 4P/6R/2A/2S and 1 block plus Becca Smith 2P/5R/1S and 1 block.
Mexico makes a V/JV trip Monday to Jefferson City to face Helias. On Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs will host a YMCA Grade 3-6 free clinic at 10 a.m. at the sports complex.
MEXICO JV GIRLS: A two-point opening period worked against the Lady Bulldogs in search of their third win. Marshall led 20-12 at the half and 47-24 when all was said and done.
“We were cold at the start, but the effort is always there,” MHS coach Lynnette Creed said.
Anne Baker and Megan Brandow both scored 8P for Mexico, while Brittany Griffin pulled down 14R.
MEXICO G7 BOYS: The Bulldogs dominated Hannibal 46-17 Thursday in the first round of their own tournament, riding a 17-0 opening quarter to a 26-5 halftime edge.
“We played very aggressive on both ends of the floor and our intensity never let down,” MMS coach Darren Pappas said. For 8-5 Mexico, which won the third period as well 15-3, Tyler Bracht had 13P/3A and Skylar Harrington 10P/6S/5A.
The Bulldogs play Moberly at 1:45 p.m. Saturday for the championship.
MEXICO G7 GIRLS: The Lady Bulldogs improved to 8-6 Thursday with a 38-21 win over Hannibal in their tourney debut.
“We started off a little slow, but came out in the third quarter and scored 16 points,” MMS coach Josie Stewart said.
For Mexico, which meets Troy at 12:30 p.m. Saturday for first place, Abby Dick had 14P/12R, Danielle Baumgartner 11P/13R/5S and Karen Baker 9P.
AREA HOOPS: Thursday’s boys semifinal scores from the Sturgeon Invitational read Sturgeon 77, New Bloomfield 57; Paris 87, Wellsville-Middletown 72 on the championship side, plus Westran 74, Madison 38 and South Callaway 57, Community R-6 25 on the consolation side. All-stater Jon Gilliam poured in 40 points for Paris. ... Russellville took its first lead late in a 55-51 decision over North Callaway girls. Megan Williams had 20P/4A, Morgan Brown-Emmons 12P/10R/4A and Kelsey West 6P/11R for the host Ladybirds. Williams made seven of eight field-goal attempts plus six of seven from 3-point range. ... Colby Parrish made seven foul shots down the stretch to give Montgomery County boys a 56-51 win over Wright City. Will Arens had 15P and Sean Sachs 10P for the Wildcats.
Mexico, Mo. —
