Mule boys beat Loggers, Mountaineers

The Wahkiakum Mules boys basketball team added to their win column, beating Onalaska and Rainier this week. They are 4-5 in league play, and 4-6 overall.

Last Wednesday, the Mules had a great run in the first quarter but had to fight to maintain their lead in what turned out to be a close 44-42 game in Onalaska.

"I thought the boys played really well against Onalaska," Coach Todd Souvenir said. "It's always good to get a win in Onalaska. It's a tough place to play. Offensively, I think we played our best quarter of the year in the first half. More importantly, that's two games in a row where we've probably worked as hard as we have all year long for four quarters on the defensive end.

They did a lot of good things."

Quentin Nelson, a transfer from Kelso, scored five points in his first game with the Mules.

"His physicality and quickness on defense is really going to help," Souvenir said.

Luke Brown scored 15 points. Zach Brown added 10 points. Logan LaBerge had six points. Brody Carlson scored five points. K.C. Beery had three points.

Mules 18 9 10 7 --44

Onalaska 9 8 12 13 --42

On Friday at home, the Mules outscored Rainier by 12 points in the second quarter and held on for the win 49-37.

Z. Brown had 11 points, L. Brown scored 10. Nelson added nine points. Beery and LaBerge contributed eight points apiece. Carlson added three more.

Rainier 12 6 8 11 --37

Mules 11 18 11 9 --49

"The goal was three games: Pe Ell, Onalaska, and Rainier," Souvenir said before the game on Friday. "If we can get all three of those games, it puts us in a position to be competitive at the district tournament. More importantly, those wins help get us into the district tournament."

The Mules faced Napavine at home on Wednesday. The score was not available by press time. They travel to Adna on Friday.