Mules split final league games; host Ocosta tonight

Hayden Miles put up a shot over the tough Toutle Lake defense last week as the Ducks topped the Mules 76-51. The Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team split the last two games of the regular season to clinch third place in the Central League standings.

They'll host the Ocosta Wildcats tonight (Thursday), 7 p.m., in the first round of the Southwest Washington Class 2B Boys District Tournament.

The Mules entertained the undefeated Toutle Lake Ducks and fell 76-51 to the league champions.

Both teams pressed each other from the start. The Ducks were able to handle the Mule pressure, and they forced Mule turnovers all game long.

Toutle led 22-11 after one quarter, 37-24 at halftime and 56-36 after three quarters.

Hayden Miles led the Mule scoring with 15 points; he also had five rebounds and blocked four shots. Bobby Helms scored eight; Tyler Benson and Chase Fritzie six each, Cody Olsen and Ross Lofstrom five each, and Drew Windsor and Troy Howard three each. Coach Bill Olsen suspended leading scorer Josh Rongey for undisclosed reasons.

On Friday, the Mules closed the regular season with an 88-58 win over the Morton Huskies.

The Mules led 21-9 after one quarter and 50-17 at halftime.

Miles led the charge with 24 points. Rongey returned to score 17, Olsen 13, Helms 11, Fritzie eight, and all with five points, Benson, Lofstrom and Howard.

The win gave the Mules third place in the Central League with a 15-5 season record, 11-5 in league play.

Ocosta finished sixth in the Pacific League with a 9-11 season record.

The winner takes on Tacoma Baptist, second in the Pacific League behind the Naselle Comets Saturday, 6:30 p.m. in Montesano. The loser of that game plays Monday, 2:30 p.m., in Montesano; the winner of that game would continue February 21, 6:30 p.m., in Rochester; the loser would be out.

The loser of the Mule-Wildcat contest plays February 18, 5:30 p.m., in Montesano. The loser of that game is out, and the winner plays February 21, 8 p.m., in Rochester.