Mules start districts with win over Toledo

The Wahkiakum Mules boys basketball team finished their regular season with a third place finish in the Central 2B League and moved into district play this week.

Senior Kyler Sause had a career high 30 points in the Mules final game at home on Thursday, but it wasn't enough to beat the number one team in the Central 2B league, Morton/White Pass, and they lost, 73-59.

"It was senior night, there was a big crowd, it was a fun night," Coach Todd Souvenir said. "We got off to a slow start to a good team. We battled back the entire game. We couldn't get a stop we needed and couldn't close the gap closer than four, but I thought the guys did a good job, especially fighting back against a solid team the whole time. Kyler had a great night, which, as we approach district, is another option we have, and should give him confidence to play really well on the offensive end."

"I really appreciate everybody being there," Souvenir said of the fans. "Even though it was a loss it was a really good atmosphere for the kids."

Along with Sauce's 30 points, Jacob Johnson and Brodie Avalon chipped in 10 points apiece. Titan Niemela had six points, and Zakk Carlson added three.

MWP 15 17 16 25 --73

Mules 7 18 15 19 --59

On Saturday in Rochester, the Mules faced Toledo in the first round of the 2B District 4 tournament, and sent the Riverhawks into the loser's bracket with a decisive 71-48 win.

"They are solid on defense and have a couple guys who can shoot the ball so we needed to be prepared," Souvenir said. "We started out with a 9-1 run. They called time out, and the next thing you know its's 10-9, so we let them back in the game. We didn't play our best offense in the first half, but were still up by eight at the half. In the third quarter we got things rolling and everybody got involved. I thought everybody did some good things and we got out of there with a W."

Carlson led the team with 20 points. Johnson and Avalon added 13 points each. Sause had nine. Niemela scored seven. Maddox Moore had five. Victor Carvalho and Grant Wilson chipped in two points apiece.

Toledo 15 8 13 12 --48

Mules 20 11 22 18 --71

The Mules faced Ilwaco in the second round of the district tournament on Wednesday, but a score was not available by press time. Updates will be posted on the Wahkiakum Eagle Sports Report page on Facebook.