Trojans put an end to Mules' season

A strong second-half comeback wasn’t enough to keep the Wahkiakum Mules’ season alive as they fell 59-54 to the Pe Ell Trojans last Friday night in the Class 2B boys basketball tournament at Rochester High School.

Things looked grim early on for the Mules after a tough-luck first half in which nothing seemed to fall through the nets, putting the team in a 13-point hole at the break.

The second half was a whole different story. The Mules came storming back to tie the game at 46-46 less than two minutes into the final frame. The Trojans hit some crucial three pointers down the stretch to seal the Mules’ fate.

Wyatt Parker led a balanced Mules attack with 13 points and three assists. Brett Chaput added ten points and five rebounds, John Chambers nine points and four assists, and Ryan Helms and Joel Nicolazzi eight points apiece. Lars Blix tossed in five and Peter Weiler rounded out the scoring with one point. Helms also pulled in six boards while Blix and Nicolazzi each grabbed five.

Forty-eight hours earlier, Wednesday night’s loser-out contest had a much more pleasant outcome for Mule players and fans alike. The Mules cruised to a 61-53 victory over the Mossyrock Vikings behind an impressive four minute stretch to open the third quarter that extended the Mules' halftime lead from six to 23 points.

A big factor in this game was the Mules’ ability to run down rebounds, both offensively and defensively, as they racked up 35 rebounds to Mossyrock’s 18.

Four Mules cracked double-digits in the scoring column led by Chambers with 16 and Chaput with 14. Helms and Blix added 11 apiece, and Parker and Weiler chipped in with five and four, respectively. Blix ripped down eight boards and Chaput seven while Chambers dished out six assists and grabbed five rebounds himself.

Seniors playing their last game for the Mules were Pierce, Fudge, Nicolazzi and Helms.