Mule girls loseto Toutle, Mossyrock

Mule girls lose to Toutle, Mossyrock

In the battle of pressing defenses, the Toutle Lake Ducks were able to handle the pressure and handed the Wahkiakum Mules a 52-40 defeat last Friday at Wahkiakum High School.

The Mules handled the Duck press in the first quarter, which ended in a 16-16 tie. But Mule turnovers came in the second quarter, and the Ducks outscored the Mules 16-7 to lead 32-23 at halftime.

Shelby Deaton led balanced scoring for the Mules with nine points. Whitley Wirkkala added eight, Courtney Helms six, Ashley Moore five, Halie Boyce and Jordyn Wirkkala four each, and Evelyn Clark and Ashley Helms two each.

Four Ducks scored in double figures.

The Mossyrock Vikings outscored the Mules 36-19 in the second half to come from behind and defeat the Mules 70-61 January 2 in Mossyrock.

The Mules led 42-34 at halftime.

The Vikings went to the free throw line 27 times in the second half, said Coach Tim Brown, and Viking Sarah Petrino scored 37 points.

"The Mules, once again, couldn't stop the opposing team's dominant player," Brown said.

Boyce and C. Helms led the Mule scoring with 19 points apiece. W. Wirkkala added 10, Deaton eight, and Moore five.

"Boyce came up big again trying to keep the Mules in the game," Brown said. "Helms had 19 prior to fouling out. Wirkkala gave a great effort, pitching in 10 points and 10 rebounds. Deaton had another solid effort with eight points and eight rebounds."

"The overall aggressiveness of the Mules got them into foul trouble with the foul totals being very lopsided, WHS 30 and Mossyrock 12. Mossy shot 42 free throws, converting on 31."

The Mules made 22 of 66 shots, 37 percent, and 11 of 19 free throws, 58 percent. The Vikings had 18 field goals.

The Wirkkala sisters each made three steals. Deaton and W. Wirkkala each made four assists, and A. Helms made three.

The Mules entertained the Morton Huskies last night in a rescheduled game. They go to White Pass next Tuesday and entertain Pe Ell on January 17.