In the Mexico boys’ follow-up season to making history, they had several players recognized for their efforts.
The Bulldogs won 18 games this season after starting last season with a …
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In the Mexico boys’ follow-up season to making history, they had several players recognized for their efforts.
The Bulldogs won 18 games this season after starting last season with a school record 28 wins and were a basket close to another North Central Missouri Conference title this season. Seniors Jordan Shelton and Anthony Shivers and DJ Long proved to be a big reason for the Bulldogs’ success this season and were each honored with North Central Missouri Conference spots.
Shelton was named second-team all-NCMC last year and was bumped up to first team this season. He averaged 16.9 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 2.5 assists, drained 24 3-pointers for 32 percent, and shot 59 percent on 2-pointers.
“In his senior campaign, he developed into a three-tier scorer,” head coach Darren Pappas said. “He showed not only can he score off the dribble, but his perimeter scoring improved greatly over the course of the season. Jordan is known for his athleticism and explosive dunks, but this season he was leaned upon for his leadership.”
DJ Long served as the team’s primary point guard as a junior — his second season as a Bulldog after transferring from Van-Far. Long earned a first-team selection after a campaign that included him scoring his 1,000th career point at the end of the regular season. He averaged 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 4.5 assists, hit 33 3-pointers for 28 percent, and shot 54 percent on 2-pointers.
“DJ, throughout the course of the season, developed into a floor general and did a great job of getting teammates involved in the offense (126 assists),” Pappas said. “He has great court awareness and playmaking abilities. We look forward to him becoming more of an elite defender in his senior year.”
Shivers made the second team after a stellar all-conference and all-district football season. He averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.5 assists, nailed 19 3-pointers for 27 percent, and shot 51 percent on 2-pointers.
“Anthony is an elite defender and was called upon every night to guard the opponents best player,” Pappas said. “He showed great pride and humbleness in his role throughout the season. Anthony's work ethic throughout the course of his career has been the most consistent, and oftentimes, would do whatever the team needs done to be successful.”
