Ducks top Mules in defensive struggle

The Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team topped Morton but lost defensive struggles to Pe Ell and Toutle Lake in Central League action this week.

On Tuesday, the Mules lost 46-39 to visiting Toutle Lake. The Ducks led through the first quarter, but the Mules stormed back in the second to lead 21-18 at halftime.

The Mules boosted the lead to 29-21 with 3:06 left in the third quarter. The Ducks called time, switched their press defense and began crawling back. The Mules led 31-26 at the end of the third quarter, but the Ducks tied it 31-31 at 6:30 of the fourth and built a 39-31 lead before the Mule offense could get back on track. The Mules closed to 39-36 with 4:40 left, but the Ducks held on for the win.

Cody Olsen led the scoring with 21 points for the Mules. Ty Bain added seven, Chase Fritzie four, Blake Anderson three and Troy Howard and Justin McClain two each. Jeff Campbell had 15 for the Ducks, and Chris Foster put in 11.

Last Thursday, the Mules traveled to Pe Ell and lost a 55-53 squeaker to the Trojans.

The Mules trailed 42-35 going into the fourth quarter and made an 18-13 run down the stretch but came up short.

Fritzie led the Mule scoring with 21 points. Ty Bain had eight, Anderson, Bryce Hilzer and Cody Olsen had seven each, and Howard two. Fritzie had seven regounds. Howard made five steals and six assists, and Olsen also had six assists.

The Mules next traveled to Morton and overwhelmed the Huskies 74-32. The Mules led 32-7 at halftime.

Olsen led the scoring with 18 points. Howard and Hilzer each had 12, Fritzie nine, Anderson eight, Bain five, Ryan Helms and McClain four each, and Danny Helms 2.