Mules advance in district play

Hayden Miles was held but still made the shot in the Mules' win. The Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team advanced to the Class 2B District Tournament semifinals with wins over Ocosta and Tacoma Baptist this week.

The Mules take on the undefeated Toutle Lake Ducks at 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at WF West High School, Chehalis.

In the evening's opening game at 6:30 p.m., the Naselle Comets face the NW Christian Navigators in the other semifinal. The winners play Saturday evening for first and second; the losers play opponents yet to be settled on Friday evening, with winners of Friday games advancing to the state tournament and playing Saturday for third and fourth.

The Mules, who finished third in Central League standings, overwhelmed the Ocosta Wildcats 96-53 in the opening round of the district.

Ocosta kept it close for a couple of minutes, but when Mule shooters got hot and the defense started picking off Wildcat passes, the Mules took charge. They led 21-10 after one quarter and 52-21 at halftime.

Cody Olsen led the scoring with 27 points for the Mules. Hayden Miles had 21, Josh Rongey 20, Bobby Helms 11, Tyler Benson five, Drew Windsor four, Tyson Bain and Chase Fritzie three each, and Andrew Weiler two.

Rongey made 10 assists and four steals; Miles had 10 rebounds.

On Saturday, the Mules met the Tacoma Baptist Crusaders, the Pacific League's second place team, and won 61-58.

The Mules controlled the game early, leading 14-5 after one quarter. The Crusaders outscored the Mules 24-14 in the second quarter to lead 29-28 at halftime. The Mules outscored the Crusaders 23-13 in the third quarter to lead 52-41 after three quarters, and the Crusaders rallied in the fourth, outscoring the Mules 16-10 to make it close.

Last minute free throws gave the Mules the win. Helms put in one of two to give the Mules a 59-58 lead with less than a minute to go. Then Fritzie grabbed a loose ball and passed to Helms, who was again fouled, and the Mule senior made both for the final 61-58 margin.

Miles led the Mule scoring with 23 points. Olsen scored 11, and Helms, Benson and Rongey each had nine.

Miles grabbed 14 rebounds and Benson nine.