Mexico boys basketball brings a young roster to the floor this season but believes it has developed some culture and a defensive mindset like the teams of the past.

The 2021 Bulldogs had plenty of that when they went 28 games deep into the season before losing their first game to state champion Vashon to end their season in the state quarterfinals.

The 2022 Bulldogs won’t have all-North Central Missouri Conference players Isaiah Reams, Daeye Miller or Michael White but returns reigning all-conference senior Jordan Shelton – who was the second leading scorer at 11.5 points per game behind Reams’ 17.1 – this season. Head coach Darren Pappas said he also feels like there are some talented players this season that could emerge after not having as big of a role last season.

“Jordan Shelton is a returning all-conference, all-district player for us,” Pappas said. “(Junior) DJ Long, a junior guard, started a handful of games for us last year, averaged 7.7 points per game. Look for him to be our point guard and floor general this season. (Seniors) Dante Kelley and Anthony Shivers are back for their senior campaigns. Anthony gave us good minutes off the bench last year and Dante as well.

“We’re a fairly young group as far as varsity experience goes so I feel like we’re developing a good mindset – a defensive-minded culture,” Pappas said. “I think they understand the expectations, not only by the community but by us as coaches. They want to continue on what last year’s team did.”

A key portion of the team that will determine how much depth the team will have, Pappas said, is the group of juniors and sophomores that have like junior Donye Nunnelly, who had some minutes late last season in the post and should shoulder more playing time this year. Jaydon Eldridge is a sophomore that has a “really good skillset” that includes perimeter scoring.

Pappas said junior forward Grant Broeker, junior guard Aidan Knipfel, sophomore PJ Perkins, who can operate inside and outside, and sophomore Holden Aulbur are some more of those players that could have vital roles with the team, barring any freshman that emerge.

Much of the scoring Mexico had last year – at about 67 percent – is gone, but Pappas feels like this year’s Bulldogs can be stronger from the perimeter, stay tough on defense as they aim to keep opponents under 50 points per game like has been the case the previous two years and win the rebounding battle. They still have their speed as well.

“We’re not the biggest group, but we’re really, really athletic and quick,” Pappas said. “Hopefully, that can create some havoc against teams we play against and generate some turnovers.”

Mexico the last two years has won at least 20 games, winning conference and district titles in the process. Pappas said the Bulldogs should aim for the same goals this season. Focusing on team goals takes care of the individual goals and trusting in the system the coaches has established should lead to more success.

“I just think this group has been in the system long enough now we can start fine-tuning some things,” Pappas said. “We don’t have to reteach a whole lot. We can just add some new things to it. Overall, they have a good base of what we’re trying to do on both sides of the ball.