Lady Mules are champs

What happens when you put together four quarters of high quality basketball game after game?

For the Wahkiakum Lady Mules, it meant winning the SW Washington District 2B Basketball Tournament last week.

After opening the tournament with wins February 16 and 18, the Mules qualified for state by downing the third-ranked Napavine Tigers 47-40 on February 24. They took on Pacific League champion NW Christian Navigators last Saturday and demolished them 58-44.

It was the Mule girls' first district championship since 1986 and their first trip to state since 1998.

They opened state play at 4 p.m. Wednesday, as The Eagle was printed, against Orcas Island. The winner and loser of that game will play on Thursday the winner and loser of the Colfax-DeSales game.

The Eagle will update its website daily with the results; one can also follow The Eagle on Facebook.

Mules 47, Tigers 40

The Tigers and Mules fought back and forth for three quarters. Napavine led 12-8 after one quarter and 22-20 at halftime. Each team scored 13 points in the third quarter, so the Tigers led 35-33 going into the final period.

The Mules then took control, outscoring the Tigers 14-5 to win. Defense and the fast break were the key; the Mules converted on steals and rebounds, and the Tigers were on their heels.

Jordyn Wirkkala led the scoring with 17 points. Halie Boyce put in 13, Shelby Felton six, Ashley Helms five, Blaine Land three and Evelyn Clark two.

A. Helms grabbed eight rebounds and made three steals and eight assists. Felton had eight rebounds and two steals and two assists, and Wirkkala had seven rebounds, two steals and three assists. Clark had seven rebounds, two steals and three assists.

"This was an amazing win for the girls," said Coach Tiffany Niemeyer. "They played a complete game and finished strong. The win can be attributed to an outstanding defensive game. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Mules held Napavine to only five points. A lot of people have been saying that Napavine was cold, but really, they had pressure on almost every shot attempt.

"They did a great job, and this was the start of the ultimate goal--to be state champs!"

Mules 58, Navigators 44

The Mules jumped on NW Christian with aggressive play that never let up. They led 9-3 with 6:03 to go in the first quarter as steals and rebounding paved the way for the fast break. The quarter ended with the Mules up 15-11.

A surge at the start of the second quarter sent the Navigators reeling; the Mules established a 15-point lead at one point and led 33-20 at halftime.

The Navigators switched from zone to man-to-man defense in the third quarter but couldn't cut into the Mule lead; the Mules led 46-34 going into the final quarter.

The Navigators went to a full-court press and started to cut the Mule lead in the fourth quarter. The Mules held their composure, however, and used steals and a last-minute three-pointer to put the game away.

Boyce led the offense with 26 points. Clark added 11, Brieanna Olsen 10, Blaine Land five, and Wirkkala, A. Helms and Felton all had two.

Clark had 17 rebounds, seven steals and six assists. Land came off the bench when Wirkkala got into foul trouble and grabbed five rebounds. Felton made seven rebounds, two steals and three assists, and A. Helms had three rebounds, one steal and five assists. Foul trouble cut Wirkkala's time, but she had three rebounds and two steals.

The Mules dominated the rebounding 42-20 and forced 29 Navigator turnovers.

"Halie and Evelyn played amazing games," Niemeyer commented. "Evy was close to a quadruple double, and Halie paved the way with 20 points in the first half.

"Overall, every single girl on our team contributed throughout the district tournament. From practice to the game, everyone was focused and determined to cut down the nets.

"Also, it is an even more unforgettable experience with all of the Mule fan support; even the fans contribute to our success, and we are very thankful."