Sometimes winning isn’t the only thing.

In the aftermath of Mexico’s 91-83 overtime loss at Van Horn in the Class 5 quarterfinals on Friday night, everyone in the arena realized they had witnessed two squads at their peak in a contest that could have tipped either way.

“You couldn’t ask for a better game,” said Daeye Miller. “When you’re playing for the final four, this is the game you want to have.”

It had momentum swings and lead changes. There were moments of defensive brilliance – Raef Yager stepping in front of the Falcons’ Jeremy Paige to intercept a pass, Peyton Willer drawing the charge against Brycen Dean – and clever scores.

Isaiah Reams spun around a defender to hit from short range two minutes into the second quarter, part of a 10-0 Bulldogs’ rally that briefly opened a 10 point cushion. Jordan Mitchell launched down the key, drawing the attention of several Falcons before dishing to a wide open Miller for two.

That move gave Mexico a 37-30 advantage, but such leads were rare on Friday night.

“It lived up to the hype of a big game,” Bulldogs head coach Darren Pappas observed. “It had everything.”

Mexico was on top 24-22 after one and up 35-30 at the half thanks to some quick thinking by Reams, some courage from Miller and a bank shot from Drew Blevins, all in the final minute before the break.

Van Horn’s Jayden Monday misfired on a free throw. The ball skirted off the rim toward the baseline. In the scramble for possession Reams managed to corral the ball, but was cut off by Falcon center Korey Messick. Trapped, Reams chunked the ball off Messick’s knee for an in bound.

A half minute later, with Van Horn looking to close the gap, Miller took the charge of Monday, handing the ball back to the Bulldogs. Blevins rewarded the effort with a four footer off the glass.

But Paige, the Falcons’ prolific guard, kept the game close, almost single-handedly. He led all scorers on the night with 29.

As the fourth quarter got underway, Paige converted from the paint to start Van Horn on a 10-0 run that swung the score in Van Horn’s favor, setting up the game’s most dramatic moment.

Yager hit a flyer with 29 seconds on the clock to cut Van Horn’s lead to 74-72. But Monday sank two from the line to restore the Falcons’ 4 point edge. Miller responded with a put back, making it 76-74.

Time was running out and the Bulldogs were forced to foul, sending Dean to the line. He drained his first, but the referee caught a lane violation and waved off the score, giving possession back to Mexico with just six seconds to play.

The Bulldogs turned to Reams, who drove hard down the lane.

“I knew I could get past the defense,” Reams said. “I just didn’t know if I would get a jumper or layup.”

The layup opened and Reams swung to the rim just before the buzzer sounded. It was even at 75-75.

Mexico struck first in overtime, Miller rolling one in. But the Falcons found their stride, racking up 8 consecutive points for an 84-78 lead. Miller broke the spell with a stutter step in the paint for a layup.

Twice in OT the Bulldogs closed to within three, once on a Miller free throw, the second time on a drive by Mitchell. A turnover, some misses and Van Horn free throws blunted any comeback attempt in the final two minutes.

“We could have been better on 50-50 balls,” Blevins said. “I wish we could keep it going, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Blevins had 18 points on the night, while Reams and Miller poured in 22 each. Yager joined them in double digits with 11. Mitchell and Michael White chipped in with 5 apiece.

For seniors Yager, Mitchell, Dante Billups and Ty Prince, it was the final appearance in a Mexico basketball uniform. Their careers ended in a season to remember – 22-4, a share of the conference title, a sectional title and an appearance in the state quarterfinals, with a thrilling send off.

“It was a heck of a ride,” Yager said. “Nobody thought we’d get this far, but we believed in ourselves. This is a great team.”

“I can’t say enough about the four seniors,” Pappas said. “They are going to do special things.”