PJ Perkins was a key part of a Mexico boys basketball team with good chemistry this season.

PJ Perkins Signing Photo Gallery

Perkins is a big reason for that chemistry, according to head coach Darren Pappas, as he and others watched the senior sign to play for Central Methodist University in Fayette during a ceremony on Monday at the Mexico Sports Complex. Coming off his third career state quarterfinal season with the Bulldogs, Perkins will play for the next level after averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 56 percent shooting.

Perkins said he has been playing basketball “his whole life” and thought making his college decision was “a lot of weight” off his shoulders. He searched for the school and program that fit and found it with Central Methodist, where he will study exercise science.

“The coached welcomed me with open arms,” Perkins said. “I know a lot of people there and who are going there and heard a lot about the school. It’s very good things that I’ve heard. I thought it would be good for me.”

Perkins earned all-conference honors twice, MSHSAA all-district honors twice, KMZU Dream Team selection twice and a Northeast Media all-district honor once. He credits his father for training him well in his life and for Pappas doing the same when he started high school.

Pappas and assistant coaches Dion “Bosco” Nunnelly and Bill Gleeson matured Perkins as a man and player, he said. 

“They really built me up from a mental standpoint and physical standpoint,” Perkins said. “Without them, I don’t know where I would be at today.”

Pappas has seen several of his players in recent years earn a scholarship to play basketball in college. He said Perkins has a “bright future ahead of him” like those other players and can say that with confidence about one of the team’s leaders.

Mexico finished 23-7 to secure the program’s third 20-win season in the past four years and gave Class 4 state champion Vashon a test, trailing by two points in the fourth quarter, in the state quarterfinals. Pappas said Perkins is a big reason why the Bulldogs went that far.

“He brings a lot of energy,” Pappas said. “His smile lights up a room or a gym, and he gets people to follow. Obviously, we couldn’t (make this year’s run) without PJ. I’m extremely grateful to be able to coach him for four years and watch him develop.”

Perkins’ energy was contagious by his actions off the court, Pappas said, but he regularly demonstrated that on the court as well. Whenever Mexico needed a rebound, block or dunk, Perkins was the one who usually gave that to the team. In a state sectional game this season at Orchard Farm, Perkins made key plays to help the Bulldogs respond to an early Orchard Farm run and eventually win 55-49.

“He always made that play whenever we needed some sort of spark,” Pappas said. “He was able to bring that spark. That’s just who PJ is. He’s going to bring that energy, he’s going to get people involved and he’s going to lead.”

Perkins said his personal project to be a better “all-around player” involved plenty of work behind the scenes. He said he wants to thank Pappas for always being available whenever he wanted to shoot in the gym late at night, whether it was after practice or another night.

“With Pap opening the gym for me late at nights getting up shots, that helped me be an all-around player,” Perkins said. “Anytime I texted him, he was up and willing to open the doors for me.”

Perkins said the Vashon game in the quarterfinals was “definitely” his fondest memory as a Bulldog because of it being a great game in a great atmosphere in front of a packed home crowd on Gary Filbert Court. There is much more than just that specific moment.

“The biggest thing I’m going to miss is the team in general,” Perkins said. “This year’s team had a lot of chemistry. I just encourage the kids to keep going up and just keep fighting for what they need, and that is to win a state title.”