Mules move into first place

The Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team capped a big week by moving into first place in Central League standings on Tuesday.

The Mules jumped to an early lead and used stifling defense to dump the Adna Pirates 53-42 Tuesday in Cathlamet.

The Mules led 10-4 after one quarter; Adna closed to 26-21 in the second, and the Mules took off on the play in the key by Ty Bain and Justin McClain. They led 35-22 at halftime.

McClain sparked the Mules in the second half, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the third and fourth quarters. He blocked six shots and grabbed seven rebounds.

Cody Olsen led the Mule scoring with 17 points. McClain had 15, Bain seven, Troy Howard five, Jon Chambers and Wyatt Parker four each, and Brad Pugh one.

Olsen made four assists and blocked a shot; Chambers had four assists and four steals, and Howard made four steals.

The win broke a tie for first in league standings and dropped Adna into second place.

Last Thursday the Mules honored a fallen Mossyrock Viking and then rolled to an 81-60 win over the visitors.

Mule Cody Olsen had become friends with Viking Ryan Rashoff, who died in a car accident in December. Olsen has dedicated several games to Rashoff, and before the Thursday game Rashoff's family presented Olsen a plaque in appreciation.

After that emotional start, Mossyrock led 24-21 at the end of the first quarter.

The Mules turned on the defense in the second quarter and outscored the Vikings 21-7 to lead 42-31 at halftime.

Olsen finished with 26 points; Chambers netted 17, Parker and Bain 12 each, McClain seven, Pugh four, and Brett Chaput two.

Parker had eight rebounds, six assists and three steals; Olsen grabbed eight rebounds. Chambers had three steals, and Pugh made seven assists.

The Mules host Napavine tonight and then are on the road until January 29 when they host White Pass in their last home game of the season.