The Mexico boys couldn’t beat Moberly two weeks ago but had a second chance on Thursday.

For their four seniors on Senior Night, the Bulldogs beat their conference and district rival 62-47 to clinch at least a share of the North Central Missouri Conference championship. A win Tuesday in Hannibal would give Mexico (18-7, 7-2 NCMC) the outright title.

After losing 88-79 in the first meeting in Moberly (17-8, 6-3 NCMC), Mexico kept most of Moberly’s players out of double digits in scoring and outscored the Spartans 43-23 in the second half. Second seemed to be a theme because head coach Darren Pappas said Mexico’s rebounding was better with players such as Kaden Benne, Brady Thoenen, Kinser Groves and Charlie Fisher pitching in.

Mexico Boys Senior Night Photo Gallery

“We held them to one shot and out,” Pappas said. “At their place, we gave them too many second and third opportunities. Obviously, we sent them to the free throw line and you can’t do that. We did a good job of moving our feet, talking on defense and rotating, but boxing out was a big thing for us.”

Benne was one of the four seniors — along with Fisher, Groves and Kelvin Watson — to be honored in a ceremony before the game. He finished with 17 points and scored 12 points in the third quarter after a scoreless first half. 

Limiting second-chance points is always “huge,” Benne said, and that led to transition points. In the second half, Benne said Mexico started clicking with shots falling and defense locking in.

“We went into halftime, and coach Pap really reassured me and got my confidence back going,” Benne said. “In the second half, I just came out and got to work.”

Fisher wasn’t there in the first half of the week when Mexico hosted Fulton but had to miss for a family emergency. His younger brother and Mexico basketball sophomore, Connor, had been in the hospital recovering from surgery and the Mexico student section were holding up signs for Connor during the Senior Night ceremony. While his condition improved throughout the week, Fisher said it was still a week full of emotions.

Right from the opening tip, Fisher was ready to go by scoring seven of his 14 points in the first quarter. The point guard also found his teammates with some slick passes to widen the lead in the second half of what was clearly “not a regular game.”

“I had a lot of emotions going through my mind, and I got a little emotional during that Senior Night presentation, seeing those signs for my brother,” Fisher said. “I just came out here playing for him. It’s all for him tonight.”

With other factors such as an injury earlier this season to Benne, Mexico’s two star senior guards haven’t always been on the floor together. When they are, Pappas said the Moberly game is a good example to show how valuable it is to the team.

“They mean a lot to me and to our program,” Pappas said. “Both of them are four-year varsity players. Both of them are leaders on and off the court and are great kids and role models for our youngsters. They complement each other very well.”

Kish Jacobs Jr. was the only Moberly player to score in double digits with 12 points. Pappas said it was key that Mexico limited Collin Knox to eight points, and Cameron Doubrava to two points with no field goals. 

Pappas said Mexico made sure to get stops on defense this time, and that is a credit to his players for following the scouting report. The Bulldogs trailed 24-19 at halftime, but Pappas said the seniors gave a “big time performance” in the second half.

“We did a really good job defensively putting pressure on their guards, running them off the 3-point line,” Pappas said.

Benne said the effect Mexico basketball has had on him has been valuable.

“It definitely means a lot,” Benne said. “This program has done a lot for me and has really helped me learn to become a better person not only on the court but off the court.”

Fisher said he is glad his life includes being part of the program.

“It means a lot,” Fisher said. “Pappas is an amazing person and has been great to all of us. Bosco (Dion Nunnelly) and (Bill) Gleeson have been awesome for us, too. It’s a different culture here. You don’t see this around other teams — this never quit mentality we’ve got over here. I’m so happy it’s a part of my life.”