Cards, Comets corral cold shooting Mules

Wahkiakum fans were left utterly stunned this week after the Mules were upset in back-to-back home games by Winlock and Naselle, falling 54-41 to the Cardinals on Friday and 51-47 to the Comets on Monday.

The losses dropped the Mules to 6-3 in league play and 9-4 overall for the season.

The Mules trailed 10-8 after one quarter of play against Winlock, but fought back to take a 26-18 lead into the break. After sinking a couple baskets to extend their lead early in the third quarter, things came apart for the Mules. They were outscored by the Cardinals 35-15. In the fourth quarter alone, the Mules scored just six points while shooting 3 for 26 (11.5%) from the field and 0 for 2 from the free throw line.

Overall, the Mules converted just 3 of 27 (11.1%) attempts from beyond the arc and 6 of 18 (33%) free throw attempts.

Eli McElroy led the Mules with 13 points, followed by Dallas Peacock and Shane Souvenir with six points apiece, Austin Good with four, and three each from Lars Blix, Travis Wegdahl, and Seth and Steven Doumit. McElroy also grabbed nine rebounds while Blix and Souvenir each grabbed six. Good’s hustle and high intensity play made him a standout defensively for the Mules.

The woes continued Monday in the KM trophy game with Naselle. Once again the Mules got off to a sluggish start, falling behind early before racing back to snatch a 16-15 lead to end the first quarter.

The Comets, however, never wavered and they took advantage of another poor night shooting the ball by the Mules to surprise the Mules and take home the KM golden ball.

Three days after their disastrous shooting night against Winlock, the Mules decided to do one better against the Comets, making just one three pointer in 25 attempts (4%). While they doubled up at the free throw line from the previous game, hitting 12 of 18 tries, it wasn’t enough to take down their Pacific League foes.

Peter Weiler led all scorers with 25 points, including the Mules’ only three-pointer. Souvenir added 10 points, Blix four, Peacock three, Wegdahl and Good scored two apiece, and Seth Doumit one. Blix pulled in 12 rebounds with Souvenir grabbing another nine. The Mules were without starting senior post, Eli McElroy, who was out with the flu.

The Mules look to get back on track Wednesday night at Napavine.

The junior varsity team had no struggles this past week as they rolled past Winlock, 65-27, and took down Naselle with ease, 58-39. Brandon Budd led all scorers against Winlock with 14 points, followed by Thorben Huber with 13, Brady LaBerge 10, Joey Moore six, Koby Cothren, Zach Calvert and Mitchel Dault five apiece, Jenton Zeng four, and Zach McDougal two. Budd also led the way against the Comets, this time with 13 points. Huber and Gunner Blix each added 12, LaBerge 10, Moore nine, and Dault two.

With the two wins the Mules junior varsity is now 9-2, with losses to Morton-White Pass (by 9) and Adna (by 10).