Mules work hard but lose two games

Despite the tough season and two more losses this week at the hands of Toledo and Toutle Lake, there have been moments of promise for the Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team.

They've got Brandon Budd's hot shooting, Zach Brown's work inside (the freshman has a hook shot) or Joey Moore's fire and the wings on Ryan Quigley's feet. He's proven he can score too. On Tuesday, Hank Ferguson played his heart out on both ends of the court, worrying his opponent with constant in-your-face defense or driving the lane on offense and scrambling for loose balls. He was everywhere and he seemed tireless.

What they seem to lack right now is a bit of confidence and consistency. Sure, there might be other things to work on, but they should be proud of all the good things they are doing and take heart.

Though the boys and their coaches might be a little low right now, if they looked up, they would find a supportive crowd at home and a rousing, heart-for-them cheering section.

Last Thursday, the Mules traveled to Toledo and lost, 34-69.

"We came out with some good energy but didn't have an answer for their 6'7" post who had 10 of his 20 points in the first quarter," Coach Todd Souvenir said. "We were within five (21-26) with under three minutes to play in the half and the Indians scored the last nine points of the half. We couldn't recover. We are playing very well in spurts but haven't been able to put it all together for four quarters.

Quigley and Moore led the team with eight points each. Budd and Brown scored six apiece. Ferguson added four and Cody Terpsma had two.

On Tuesday, the Mules faced Toutle Lake at home and lost, 32-45.

"I thought we really worked hard defensively," Coach Souvenir said, "which gave us a chance to win but we're not going to win many games when we shoot 11 for 25 from the line while the Ducks were 20 of 26. We were out-rebounded 18-27. Hank had his best game of the year and seemed to find another gear defensively which is something we have been working on."

Budd scored 13 points and had four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Ferguson had six points, four rebounds and two assists. Quigley scored five points and had three rebounds. Brown and Moore added four points apiece. Brown brought down six rebounds and one assist. Moore had five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The boys travel to Adna on Friday. Next Wednesday they begin four nights in a row of play with a home game against Pe Ell.

Wahkiakum Athletic Director Rob Garrett announced Wednesday that games scheduled January 22 with LaCenter have been cancelled and will not be made up.