Winlock, Adna claim wins over Lady Mules

The Wahkiakum Lady Mule basketball team lost games on the road to two Central League opponents this past week.

On January 19 at Winlock, the Cardinals squeaked by the Mules 43-41. The Mules led 22-20 at halftime.

"We had some opportunities to win the game but didn't pull through," said Mule Coach Tiffany Niemeyer. "If we would have hit some more free throws down the stretch, then we would have won. We didn't shoot very well, and forced a lot of bad passes. There's lots of room for improvement."

The Mules made 13 of 31 free throws, 42 percent. Winlock made 10 of 19, 53 percent.

Caitlin Nicolazzi led the Mule scoring with 12 points; she also had 22 rebounds and seven steals.

Shelby Felton added nine points; Brianna Helms six, Haylee Budd and Brieanna Olsen five each, and Maya Stanley and Marissa Washington two each.

Helms had six rebounds, four steals and four assists, and Budd grabbed 13 rebounds. Olsen made four steals and five assists.

Last Friday, the Mules lost 51-23 at Adna. The Pirates jumped ahead 21-6 after one quarter and led 36-9 at half.

"Same story: We didn't shoot very well from the line or the field," Niemeyer said. "We got off to a slow start and never found a rhythm."

Olsen led the Mule scoring with six points. Nicolazzi had five, Helms four, and Felton, Budd, Ashley Silva and Blaine Land all had two.

Land had 18 rebounds, Nicolazzi nine, and Budd seven.

The Mules entertained Mossyrock last night (Wednesday). They go to Napavine on Friday.

The Mules entertain Morton/White Pass February 2 in the last home game of the season. The junior varsity game will be only two quarters, so action will start at 6:15 p.m.