Mules beat Spartans with 2nd half surge

The Wahkiakum Mules boys basketball team spent more time on the road to Forks than they did on the Spartan home court on Monday, but they made the trip count, coming home with a win, 60-52.

“I don’t know the exact time frame we were on the bus, but it felt like a good five hours,” Coach Todd Souvenir said. “When the refs tipped the ball up in the air, we definitely looked like we’d been on the bus for five hours.”

The Mules, who had been behind by as much as 20 points, were down by 17 at the half.

“It took us a while to get our bearings and to settle down and play,” Souvenir said. “The first half was rough. Forks hit some shots from the perimeter and they played hard.”

He and the team had a little conversation at the half.

“I let them know we were still in the game, and we just needed to come out and play with a little confidence, try to get the ball inside and not settle for threes,” Souvenir said.

He sent Zakk Carlson in after the Mules cut into the lead a little bit, and told him if he got a good look, to take the three.

The Mules outscored the Spartans 25-5 in the third quarter, and Carlson hit five of his six three pointers in the second half.

“He stepped up and had a good game,” Souvenir said. “We had all the momentum, didn’t give up as many second chance points, or as many turnovers, which really helped us secure that win.

“I was proud of the guys for not giving up,” he added. “I was impressed with how they battled back and got the win after a tough road trip.”

Carlson led the team with 28 points. Jacob Johnson had 15 points. Titan Niemela added 11 points. Kyler Sause had four points. Dominic Curl finished the game with two.

Mules 10 6 25 19 --60

Forks 15 18 5 14 --52

The Mules, who are 5-4 overall, host Toutle Lake on Friday night and travel to Kalama next Wednesday.