Lady Mules splitin Ilwaco tourney

Lady Mules split in Ilwaco tourney

The Wahkiakum Lady Mules basketball team won their first game and lost their second in last week's invitational tournament at Ilwaco.

The Mules opened with a 42-34 win over the Warrenton Warriors.

The Mules trailed 20-17 at halftime but outscored Warrenton 11-3 in the third quarter and 14-11 in the fourth.

Halie Boyce scored nine points, all in the second half, to give the team a spark, said Mule Coach Tim Brown, and Shelby Deaton "had another strong game for the Mules, scoring seven points and garnering 12 rebounds."

Mule scoring was Boyce nine, Courtney Helms eight, Deaton and Jordyn Wirkkala seven each, Whitley Wirkkala six, Ashley Moore three, and Ashley Helms two.

W. Wirkkala had 10 rebounds, and J. Wirkkala had seven. Deaton and W. Wirkkala each had three steals.

The Mules made 17 of 61 shots, 28 percent, and six of 17 free throws, 35 percent. The Warriors made 10 of 21 free throws, 48 percent.

On Saturday, the Mules lost 40-38 to the Willapa Valley Vikings.

Thanks to a full court press, the Mules led 19-15 at halftime and 35-26 after three quarters.

"By the fourth quarter, the press took its toll on the Mules' stamina," Brown said. "They could manage only three points, all on free throws, and were outscored 14-3 in the last quarter."

Boyce and C. Helms led the Mules with 11 points each. Deaton had nine, J. Wirkkala five and W. Wirkkala two. Deaton had 13 rebounds, seven each for the Wirkkala sisters, and six for C. Helms. W. Wirkkala had four assists, and Boyce made three.

Larissa Rohr led Valley with 22 points.

The Mules made 12 of 64 shots, 19 percent, nine of 21 free throws, 43 percent.

The Mules, 1-3 in Central League and 3-7 overall, traveled to Mossyrock last night after The Eagle had been printed. They entertain Toutle Lake on Friday and are at Morton on Tuesday.