For the third time in four years, Mexico’s season ended in the quarterfinals to No. 1 Vashon.

Mexico vs Vashon Quarterfinal Photo Gallery

Unlike those previous two losses, the Bulldogs didn’t lose by more than 20 points and even trailed by only two points in the fourth quarter before losing 64-54 on Gary Filbert Court in front of a charged and packed home gym. This senior group wrapped up a four years that featured a 96-21 record, three district titles and three quarterfinal appearances.

Head coach Darren Pappas said Mexico (23-7) was “right there” in the fourth quarter when the Bulldogs cut their deficit to 45-43. Kaden Benne knocked down a 3-pointer and Jaydon Eldridge earned free throws after driving to the rim, but Vashon (25-2) put the margin up to 54-44 soon after.

“I’m extremely proud of this group because they hung with the best team in the state,” Pappas said. “They put a lot of pressure on you defensively. They don’t allow you to be able to run your stuff efficiently and effectively because of so much pressure.”

Pappas said Vashon’s defense forced Mexico’s “ballplayers to make plays and make decisions” and can confidently say they “left everything out there.” Eldridge finished with 20 points and seven rebounds in his final game as a Bulldog, PJ Perkins had 12 points and nine rebounds in his final game and Charlie Fisher added 12 points. 

Terron Garrett was in the middle of Vashon’s late run to seal the game, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds and scoring nine points in the fourth quarter. Trey Williams Jr. also had 18 points and hit three 3-pointers, and Dorea McCaskill had 10 points and six rebounds. Pappas said Dehrio McCaskill is Vashon’s “go guy” and finished with six points, but the Wolverines were able to do what they did best to win their 13th straight game.

“We took some quick shots, we couldn’t get any pressure on them and they got out in transition,” Pappas said. “That’s what they’re at their best. That ball gets one end from the floor really quick.”

Mexico missed some short-range shots early to fall behind 24-13 after the first quarter but amped up the crowd with a late run in the second quarter to make the halftime score 31-22. Perkins scored the final two field goals, including a putback dunk after soaring between some Wolverines, and Mexico outscored Vashon 9-7 in the quarter. 

The sound was deafening, the noise was constant and the pride in the hometown Bulldogs was unwavering. 

Vashon did put itself in position for a sixth-straight state championship but couldn’t beat its eighth straight team by at least 20 points. The Wolverines have defeated most Missouri teams this season by at least 20 points this season and only faced more of a challenge against out-of-state competition like their most recent loss on Jan. 19 against Illinois’ DePaul College Prep, who won a state title on Saturday night.

Pappas said Mexico’s recent history is also impressive as they are undoubtedly “one of the winningest classes” to wear a Bulldog uniform. A season with 20 wins and a quarterfinal appearance is special, and he said this senior group has had three of them.

“We owe a lot to them,” Pappas said. “That’s what we talked about in the huddle after the game. Even though their time is done wearing the red and gray, the brotherhood lasts forever.”

Mexico had seven seniors and Pappas appreciates the contributions of every one of them, including Sam Ryan, Austin Maxwell, Davontae Frame and Hunter Bickell, who gave them “everything they could” off the bench. Holden Aulbur became a “force down low” after much improvement and work with strength coach Devon Scott. Eldridge and Perkins were the two captains, and Pappas expects “big things” from each of them at the next level.

Pappas said the graduating group each worked hard to be individually strong but ultimately were at their strongest together. This led to strong seasons and a strong ending.

“The team chemistry can take you a long way,” Pappas said. “When they believe in one another and play for one another, this is the kind of result you get. They put up a dogfight against the best team in the state.”