Lady Mules post three Central League wins

The Wahkiakum Lady Mule basketball team gained three wins over Central League foes in action this past week.

On Tuesday, the Mules overcame a slow start to defeat the Adna Pirates 59-40. Adna took a 15-9 first quarter lead but seemed to fade in the second quarter against the Mules' man-to-man defense. The Mules led 28-26 at halftime and 41-30 after three quarters.

Jordyn Wirkkala led all scorers with 21 points; she also had 15 rebounds. Halie Boyce added 16 points; Evelyn Clark had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Ashley Helms and Brieanna Olsen each scored three points, and Brianne Helms had two.

Ashley Helms made seven assists and six steals.

Last Thursday, the Mules handed the visiting Mossyrock Vikings a 53-50 loss. The win was the Mules' first over Mossyrock in 11 or more years.

The Mules led 25-25 at halftime and outscored the Vikings 28-24 in the second half.

"We played undisciplined and sent them to line 38 times," said Mule Coach Tiffany Niemeyer. "It is hard to win a ball game when teams go to the line double what you do.

"It was an intense game, and the girls never quit. We have work to do, but I am very proud of how they never gave up!"

Boyce led the scoring with 16 points. Wirkkala had 11, Olsen and Rebecka Patching six each, Clark and Ashley Helms four apiece, Shelby Felton three, Brianne Helms two, and Blaine Land one.

Clark grabbed 20 rebounds; A. Helms had 10, and Felton and Wirkkala eight each. Clark and A. Helms each had four steals, and Boyce made six assists.

The Mules made 20 of 76 shots, 26 percent, and 10 of 21 free throws, 48 percent. Mossyrock made 14 of 54 shots, 26 percent, and 21 of 38 free throws, 26 percent.

Last Wednesday, the Mules rolled over visiting White Pass 75-44. They led 21-6 after one quarter and 43-11 at halftime.

"We had a great first half defensively," Niemeyer commented. "The girls did a great job blocking out and getting after the boards."

Clark led balanced Mule scoring with 19 points; Wirkkala had 15, Felton and Boyce 10 each, Land eight, Olsen five and A. Helms and Patching four each.

Clark and Land each had 11 rebounds; Wirkkala had 10;, Patching eight, Boyce seven, A. Helms and Felton six each, B. Helms two and Olsen and Ellee Crouse one each. Wirkkala made six assists, and Boyce had five.

The Mules made 34 of 89 shots, 38 percent, and three of 11 free throws, 27 percent. White Pass made 12 of 53 shots, 23 percent, and 18 of 26 free throws, 69 percent.

The Mules are on the road until next Thursday when they host Pe Ell.