Chinooks fend off Mules in 54-45 game

For the first 16 minutes of play, the Wahkiakum Mules looked as though they were going to avenge an early season loss to the Kalama Chinooks last Thursday.

However, redemption will have to wait as a rough third quarter with just four points on offense put a damper on plans for an end-of-the-year victory as the Mules came up short in a 54-45 loss.

The Mules shot just 25 percent from the field whereas the Chinooks were much more successful, hitting 42 percent of their attempts.

Leading the Mules with his first big game of the season was Ryan Helms, who hit nine of 10 free throws on his way to a 15 point, nine rebound, four assist performance. Brett Chaput contributed nicely inside with nine points and seven boards while Lars Blix added three steals and six more points, including the Mules’ only 3-point basket in 12 tries.

Also scoring for the Mules were, all with four points, Brandon Fudge, Joel Nicolazzi and Peter Weiler, and Wyatt Parker had two.

The junior varsity squad also came up short as they were on the losing end of a 44-30 score.

Tylor Russell paced the team with seven points while Steven Doumit tossed in six, Shane Souvenir and Austin Good five apiece, Travis Wegdahl four, and Eli McElroy three. Much like the varsity, the JV also had a tough time finding their stroke as they managed to hit just 23 percent of their shots.

Both Mule teams look to rebound from the loss and start the New Year off with a victory as they traveled to Napavine last night (Wednesday) to face the Tigers before returning home to host Morton/White Pass on Friday. Action starts at 5:45 p.m. with the junior varsity; a C-squad game has been cancelled.