Pirates, Vikings defeat Mules

Josh Rongey put up a shot in the Mules loss to Adna last week. The Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team endured a tough 61-53 home loss to Adna January 30 and a 68-57 upset loss Friday at Mossyrock as Central League action draws to a close.

The Mules entertained the undefeated and top ranked Toutle Lake Ducks last night (Wednesday) and close the season on the road at Morton today (Thursday).

They'll start district action next week, but their final placing will depend on other teams results, and possibly a coin flip with Mossyrock if they lose both games this week.

Adna's Pirates hung close and rallied in the second half to defeat the Mules 61-53 and earn an edge up on the Mules in the battle for second place in league standings.

The Mules led 32-29 at halftime but were outscored 17-12 in the third quarater and 15-9 in the fourth.

Josh Rongey led the Mule scoring with 22 points. Tyler Benson scored 12, Hayden Miles eight, Bobby Helms six, and Cody Olsen five. Miles had 12 points, and Helms made four steals and four assists.

At Mossyrock, the Vikings jumped on the Mules early and led 31-24 at halftime. The Mules outscored the Vikes 18-13 in the third quarter to trail 49-42 after three quarters, and the Vikes made free throws down the stretch to preserve their win.

Miles hit 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Mules. Olsen put in 15 points. Helms had 11, Rongey eight, Benson four and Ross Lofstrom one. Benson had nine rebounds, Olsen made eight assists, and Rongey had six steals.

Depending on season ending games Thursday, they could end up sixth place in Central League standings; they would start district play next week at the school of fourth place team from the Pacific League, whose standings are also up in the air.