Lady Mules top Napavine, continue unbeaten streak

The Wahkiakum Mule girls basketball team won two more games last week and brought their overall record to 6-0. They currently lead their league in wins, followed closely by Toutle Lake with a 5-0 record.

The team traveled to Morton White Pass last Wednesday and beat the Timberwolves 57-45.

Baylee Olsen led the team with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Sam Boyce added 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. Tori Wegdahl and Peyton Souvenir scored seven points each. Wegdahl had two rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block; Souvenir had four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kaylee Bryant had four points, eight rebounds, one assist and four blocks. Maddie Mace added three points and three rebounds. Sydney Hansen and Jessica Thomas had two points apiece. Thomas had five rebounds and two steals; Hansen pulled down one rebound.

“We didn't execute all that well offensively for most of the game,” Coach Rob Garrett said, “but we played a really good first half defensively. We were up 16 at half and MWP came back with a strong third quarter to cut our lead to four points. Kaylee Bryant came up with two great blocked shots and it gave us the momentum we needed to come out and play a much better fourth quarter. With three starters in foul trouble, some of my back ups had to play some big minutes. I thought they all did a great job. Jessica Thomas, Sydney Hansen and Maddie Mace all hit the only shots they took and also came up with some big rebounds. Baylee Olsen had a nice second half not just settling for the three point shot, but going inside and rebounding. Tori Wegdahl took two really big charges in the second half which were big momentum changers.”

“Overall it was sloppy,” Garrett continued, “but I'm glad it happened. We needed a challenge and I thought our team handled it pretty well. If we keep playing unselfish basketball, we are going to continue to win lots of games and the girls will have a lot of fun.”

On Friday, the Mules faced a tough Napavine team. The game was tied at 11 after the first quarter. There were some close calls but Napavine never took the lead again and the Mules won 59-54.

Boyce led scoring with 16 points. She also had nine rebounds, three assists and four steals. Wegdahl added 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Olsen had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Souvenir chipped in nine points, a season high 14 rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Bryant scored four points, pulled down two rebounds and had two steals. Grace Peacock had two points. Thomas had one rebound, one assist and one steal. Savannah Burdick had two rebounds and one assist and Hansen had two rebounds.

“This was the first big game on the schedule,” Garrett said. “That was a really good win for us. The girls are still playing like a team. Tori came up huge tonight and Sam hit some ridiculous shots. Our girls handled the adversity very well and the girls coming off the bench played great defense. It was a great game.”