The Mexico boys and girls had no intention of allowing Bowling Green back in the game on Thursday night at home. The Lady Bulldogs increased their 32-16 halftime lead to win 59-33 in a bounce-back effort from a home loss Tuesday to Fulton, and then the Class 4 No. 9 Bulldogs sped past the Bobcats early for a 37-21 halftime lead that turned into a 70-51 victory.
The Lady Bulldogs (5-8) scored 17 points in Tuesday's game against Fulton before losing 36-33 but maintained good energy after an 18-point first quarter this time against the Lady Bobcats (4-9), head coach Makenzie Mudd said. Mexico plays at Centralia (8-2), who received votes in the most recent Class 3 poll and has been ranked, at 6 p.m. Friday.
"We talked about continuing whatever energy we had in the first half into the second half," Mudd said. "Don't be comfortable with the lead that we have. Let's grow it, and let's keep working together and make opportunities for each other. Making opportunities for each other is really what sparked us in the second half."
Jo Thurman was everywhere on the court, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven steals. Claire Hudson had a game-high 23 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and four 3-pointers, and Grace Hudson had 13 points and three 3-pointers.
The Bulldogs thrived in transition as they try to do every game and used that offense and good play from their guards to hold a 20-point lead throughout the game. Head coach Darren Pappas would like to see some improvements, however, after Jace Eskew led Bowling Green (4-8) and the floor with 26 points and seven 3-pointers. Kaden Benne led the team with 19 points, five rebounds, three steals and three 3-pointers and scored 12 of his points in the first quarter.
"That's what I like about this roster is anybody can score on any given night," Pappas said. "If someone is having an off night, then somebody else can step up and fill the void."
DJ Long finished with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists but was scoreless in the first quarter mainly because of having to leave temporarily after tweaking his ankle. Pappas said Mexico will re-evaluate his ankle before tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. game at Centralia (6-5) but was happy to have four double-digit scorers, including Jaydon Eldridge at 13 points and five rebounds and PJ Perkins at 10 points and seven rebounds.
Look for the full stories in the Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023, edition of the Mexico Ledger.
