An easy win and a tough loss kick off boys' season

The Wahkiakum Mules boys basketball team split non-conference games this week, with a win against Castle Rock followed by a tough loss to Ilwaco.

Wahkiakum got off to a quick start in their game against Castle Rock on Friday, scoring 43points to the Rocket's nine in the first half. With the visiting team unable to pick up any steam, the Mules went on to win 70-19.

Zakk Carlson led scoring for the Mules with 21 points. He also had 11 rebounds and five steals.

Parker Leitz added 14 points and Jayden Stoddard scored 12. Jacob Johnson had nine points, four assists, and four steals. Kyler Sause contributed eight points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks. Nathan Garrett, Grant Wilson, and Gage Robinson scored two points apiece, with Wilson picking up six rebounds.

The Mules hosted a persistent Ilwaco team on Tuesday, led by a very good post by the name of Beckett Turner.

An early barrage of Mule three pointers found their way home in the first half, but the team got cold outside the arc and the Fishermen took advantage. Despite the small lead the Mules held for most of the game, Ilwaco pulled ahead in the final minutes and the Mules could find no remedy. They lost 73-68.

While Turner scored 33 of Ilwaco's points, Zakk Carlson answered with 31 points of his own, hitting five of his seven threes in the first quarter alone. Leitz scored 16 points, hitting four threes, and pulled down seven rebounds. Sause had 10 points, including two threes, and Cooper Carlson had five points, which included one three. Wilson added four points, and Johnson had two points and six assists. Garrett had six rebounds.

Mount Vernon Christian comes to town on Friday, and the Mules will face another challenge on Tuesday when they host Adna in their first conference game of the season.