Mules take trophy, overpower Warriors

The Mules jumped out to an early 11-0 lead and never looked back en route to a 60-36 season-opening victory over the visiting Naselle Comets Friday night to reclaim the KM Trophy.

Despite an early third quarter run that momentarily brought the Comets to within six points, the Mules used some timely three-point shooting and pressuring defense to extend the lead quickly back to double-digits.

John Chambers led the Mules in scoring with 18 points with Brett Chaput and Lars Blix contributing 11 and 10, respectively. Wyatt Parker had seven, Ryan Helms five, Zach Pierce three, Joel Nicolazzi two and Eli McElroy one.

For the Comets, senior Leonel Mendoza was the lone bright spot, leading all scorers with 21 points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds. Also scoring for the Comets were Andy Gonzalez four, Dustin Eaton and Nick Zimmerman three each, Chase Chapman and Nick Strange two each, and Ollie Baker one.

On Saturday night, the Mules played unwelcoming host to the Warrenton Warriors, shooting 52 percent from the field and 90 percent from the line on their way to a commanding 69-23 victory.

When asked his thoughts about the team’s performance, Mule Coach Bill Olsen replied, “Our defense tonight was great. The (defensive) footwork was excellent and guys were in their right spot. On the offensive side, the whole team is passing very well to create open shots for teammates.”

The great defense that Olsen was referring to was one that held the Warriors to five for 45 shooting from the field and forced 24 turnovers.

From an offensive standpoint the game featured a balanced scoring attack with four Mules reaching double-figures, led by Wyatt Parker’s game-high 18 points, followed by Chambers’ 14, Chaput’s 10, and Joel Nicolazzi’s 10. Also scoring were Pierce seven, Helms six, and Peter Weiler and Tylor Russell two each.

Helms had five rebounds, and Parker and Chaput each had four. Blix and Pierce each had three steals, and Parker and Weiler each had two. Nicolazzi made four assists, and Chambers, Pierce and Brandon Fudge each had three.

On Tuesday, the Mules suffered their first loss of the season in a gut-wrenching 52-47 battle at Kalama.

After leading for most of the game, including by as many as seven mid-way through the fourth quarter, the Mules committed a couple turnovers in key moments and gave up too many second and third chance opportunities on the defensive end, thus allowing the Chinooks back into the game.

Leading the Mules offensively were Chambers with 12 points, Parker and Chaput 11 apiece, and Brandon Fudge nine. Chambers also dished out five assists and Fudge three, while Parker and Blix each pulled in seven rebounds. As a team the Mules shot just 28 percent from the field and 38 percent from the free throw line.

The Mules are idle until next Monday when Mossyrock comes to WHS to start Central League play. The game with South Bend scheduled for December 11 has been cancelled. The Mules head to Winlock next Wednesday.

The Mule junior varsity edged Warrenton 47-46 in overtime and handed Naselle a 52-36 loss.

Against Warrenton, Steven Doumit led the Mule scoring with 14 points. Travis Wegdahl had nine, Weiler and Russell eight each, McElroy six, and Austin Good two.

Against Naselle, Weiler led the Mule scoring with 13 points. Wegdahl had nine, Doumit six, Shane Souvenir and Mitchel Dault five each, Russell four, Seth Doumit three, McElroy and Nicolas Kirschke two each, and Collan Riley one.

Naselle's Nick Zimmerman led the scoring with 14 points. Trevin Leeland added six, Brendan Greenfield five, Jake Williams four, Jesse Lopez three, and David Blaylock and Chase Chapman two each.

At Kalama, the JV's lost 47-45. Weiler led the Mule scoring with 16; Steven Doumit had eight, Russell seven, Seth Doumit and Wegdahl six each, and Souvenir two.