Mule boys falter in district opener

The Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team opened the Class 2B District Tournament Monday with a 75-59 loss to the Pe Ell Trojans.

On Saturday, time and location to be determined, the Mules will play the loser of the Naselle Comet-Napavine Tiger game played last night (Wednesday) after The Eagle had gone to press. The Comets claimed the Pacific League title and had a first round bye.

The Trojans took a 17-7 first quarter lead, and the Mules could never overcome the slow start. Pe Ell held a 37-31 scoring advantage for the next two quarters.

Chase Fritzie led the Mule scoring with 20 points. Justin McClain had 15, Tory Howard 10, Brad Pugh seven, Brice Hilzer and Ryan Helms five each, and Ty Bain one.

The Mules played the game shorthanded. Leading scorer Cody Olsen is out with illness, but ball handler Bain came back from an ankle injury that had sidelined him for several games.

"Cody's done," Mule Coach Bill Olsen said Tuesday. "Well go with what we have."

The Mules closed the regular season with a 66-48 loss at White Pass Last Thursday. The Panthers led 13-9 after one quarter and 31-19 at halftime.

Pugh led the Mule scoring with 19 points; Fritzie had 14, Howard nine, and Helms, Blake Anderson and McClain two each.

Fritzie had eight rebounds, and Pugh made six steals.