Mule boys thump Braves, Pirates

The Wahkiakum Mules boys basketball team ended 2019 adding two more to their win column last week.

On Dec. 18, the boys crushed LaConner at home, 80-39.

"I thought we played with good energy on both ends of the floor," Coach Todd Souvenir said. "We had a lot of fun and shared the ball, which led to good looks."

Jake Leitz led the team with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Brody Carlson added 14 points and five assists. Logan LaBerge had 10 points. Dominic Curl scored eight points, pulled down 10 boards, and had five steals. K.C. Beery added another eight points. Brodie Avalon had six points and seven rebounds. Damion Curl had five points. Ashden Niemeyer had two points and eight rebounds.

LaConner 7 8 14 10 --39

Mules 23 17 23 17 --80

On Friday, they traveled to Adna and won 67-58.

"We got off to a rough start with a lot of unforced turnovers, which put us in a hole to start the game, trailing 2-13 at one point," Coach Souvenir said. "We played a much better second quarter and went into the half down by eight. We came out in the second half with energy and quickness on the defensive end, which got us going on the other end. Jake (Leitz) scored nine of his 17 points in the third quarter, which opened things up for our shooters in the fourth. We made the extra pass to find the hot shooter, Brodie Avalon, who scored 14 of his 16 in the fourth quarter."

According to Souvenir, the Mules' improvement could be measured in turnovers as the game went on, with eight in the first quarter, three turnovers in the second, and only four in the fourth quarter.

Leitz scored 17 to lead the Mules. He also had 16 rebounds and seven assists. Avalon added 16 points. LaBerge had 15. Carlson had eight points and five assists. Dominic Curl added seven points. Beery and Niemeyer added two apiece.

Mules 13 15 16 23 --67

Adna 22 14 9 13 --58

The Mules travel to the east side to compete in the Colton Tourney this Friday and Saturday, and return to regular play on January 3 at home against Napavine.