Lady Mules, Ducks play for league title

The Wahkiakum Mules girls basketball team won three more games this week and will finish regular play tonight (Thursday) in the biggest game of the season against the Central League leaders, the Toutle Lake Ducks.

The Lady Mules have been looking forward to a rematch with Toutle Lake since the Ducks beat them 45-49 on January 14. A win would bring satisfaction and take the league title away from the Ducks, putting the Mules in first place.

The players being honored this Senior Night are Samantha Boyce, Kaylee Bryant, Marissa Longtain, Baylee Olsen, Jessica Thomas and Tori Wegdahl.

Last Thursday, the Mules traveled to Napavine and triumphed in a closely fought four quarters against the Napavine Tigers. The Mules won 43-41.

“Our first half was great,” Coach Rob Garrett said. “Peyton (Souvenir) looked really good out there, really comfortable, making good decisions. Overall we shot terrible, but to be able to shoot that bad and still come out with a win at Napavine, you’ve got to be thrilled with that. That means you are doing something right on defense. It was a huge win for us and it was an awesome atmosphere. Both crowds were super loud.”

Garrett praised Baylee Olsen who made the shift to inside play when she realized she was struggling with her outside shots. He also had good words for Kaylee Bryant and Tori Wegdahl for hitting the boards and getting 11 rebounds apiece, which, according to Garrett, was a season high for both of them.

Souvenir led the team in scoring with 18 points, including one four point play, when she was fouled on a three point shot. She also had eight rebounds, one assist and two steals. Olsen added 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Wegdahl had six points and 11 rebounds. Bryant added four points, 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal. Sam Boyce had two points, five rebounds, one assist and three steals. Jessica Thomas had three rebounds and Savannah Burdick had one.

Score

Lady Mules 10 19 16 8 --43

Lady Tigers 8 12 9 12 --41

On Saturday, the Lady Mules traveled to Onalaska and won easily 70-40.

“I thought the girls played really well,” Coach Garrett said. “The season is winding down and we are getting closer and closer to playing the level of basketball that we want to be at when post season play is here. The girls are sharing the ball extremely well and it's a lot of fun to watch. We still have somethings to work on, but I'm happy with the improvements we have made at this point and we just keep trying to get better everyday whether it's a practice or a game.”

Olsen scored 20 points and had six rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. Souvenir had 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Boyce added 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. Bryant scored six points and had one rebound, one assist, three steals and one block. Mya Kirzy added five points, two rebounds and one steal. Maddie Mace had three points and one assist. Wegdahl and Burdick scored two points apiece. Wegdahl also had six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Burdick had one rebound, one assist and one block. Thomas added one point and one rebound. Grace Peacock had one rebound, three assists and one steal. Marissa Longtain had three rebounds and Sydney Hansen had three rebounds and one steal.

Score

Lady Mules 23 16 18 13 --70

Lady Loggers 7 9 5 19 --40

In Toledo on Tuesday, the Mules beat Toledo 64-38. Details weren't available.

The Lady Mules close out their regular season tonight (Thursday) at home against the Toutle Lake Ducks. The winner of the game will claim the Central League championship. Game time is 7 p.m.

District play begins February 9; the Lady Mules will host an opponent from the Pacific League.