Mule girls pop South Bend for first win

The Wahkiakum Mule girls basketball team overwhelmed visiting South Bend 44-12 for a sad win Monday, the team's first of the season.

The Mules led 9-3 after one quarter and outscored the visitors 15-4 in the second to take complete control of the game.

Jordyn Wirkkala led the scoring with 13 points. Courtney Helms and Halie Boyce each had eight, Ashley Moore and Shelby Deaton four each, Evy Clark three, and Kari Schillios and Tasha Ford two.

Clark had 11 rebounds, and Deaton had nine. Courtney Helms and Ashley Helms each had four steals; Boyce, Moore, and Wirkkala all had three.

The Mules made 19 of 60 shots, 32 percent and three of five free throws, 60 percent.

"Jordy Wirkkala had another fine performance starting in place of her sister, Whitley, who didn't play because of illness," said Mule Coach Tim Brown. He also complemented the rebounding of Clark and Deaton.

Last week, the Mules lost 52-22 at Napavine and 45-40 at Pe Ell.

Napavine jumped to a 16-2 start and never looked back.

"From the start we couldn't get anything going," Brown said. "Tasha Ford had another good game off the bench, leading the team in scoring."

Ford had seven points, Deaton six, C. Helms four, W. Wirkkala three and Clark two. Deaton had 11 rebounds.

Pe Ell took a 22-17 halftime lead and held on to win.

"The Lady Mules played tough on the road," Brown said. "Pe Ell shot twice as many free throws (15/27, 56 percent) than the Mules (8/13, 62 percent), but the Mules had more field goals than their opponents.

"Jordyn Wirkkala had her best game of the season with a team leading 11 points. The Lady Mules were also hampered by the absence of leading scorer Courtney Helms."

Ford added nine points for the Mules; A. Helms and Deaton and Clark each had four, Moore and W. Wirkkala three, and Boyce two.

Clark and Deaton each had 11 rebounds, and Boyce made four assists.

The Lady Mules will play Adna at Centralia Community Collegeon Friday; they'll compete in the Ilwaco Christmas Tournament December 27 and 28.