Mules basketball season ends at state tournament

The season came to an end on Saturday at the State 2B tournament in Spokane for the Wahkiakum Mules boys basketball team, and despite the disappointment of those last two games, this team brought plenty of excitement and several thrilling moments these last few months. Moments that won't likely be forgotten any time soon by teammates or their fans.

On day one of the State 2B tournament, the Mules surprised fifth ranked Tri-Cities Prep when they beat the Jaguars 76-57 in a loser out game.

The win advanced the Mules to the quarterfinals. Zakk Carlson scored 25 points for the Mules and had seven rebounds. Kyler Sause picked up his 1,000th career point during the game, and

had a double double, adding 23 points and 11 rebounds. Jacob Johnson had eight points and four rebounds, Parker Leitz had seven points. Grant Wilson scored five points. Cooper Carlson and Jayden Stoddard contributed two points apiece, and Nathan Garr games and be named the 2024 State 2B champions.Z. Carlson led the Mules with 10 points and six rebounds. Sause had seven points. Wilson added five points. Parker Leitz scored four points. Jayden Stoddard had three points. Jacob Johnson and Cooper Carlson contributed one point apiece.

Mules 3 11 7 10 31

Colfax 20 17 19 12 6

In the consolation bracket on Friday, and needing a win to continue to Saturday, the Mules lost to Northwest Christian (Colbert), 73-55. The loss ended the season for Wahkiakum.

Z. Carlson had 23 points and 12 rebounds. Leitz scored 16 points. Sause, who fouled out during the game, added seven points. Johnson had four points. C. Carlson had three points. Wilson had two points.

Mules 11 11 22 11 55

NW Christian 19 17 9 28 73

It was the final season for seniors Johnson, Garrett, Sause, Wilson, and Z. Carlson. Coach Rob Garrett had some thoughts about his first season as the head coach for the boy's

basketball program at Wahkiakum. "I'd like to thank all of the youth coaches," Garrett said. "Without a strong foundation, my job becomes an impossible game of catch up. Being my

first year with the program I'd like to thank the coaches who came before me."

"On a tournament level, the goal all season was to simply make it to Spokane and get the opportunity to play in that magical environment," he said.

"We not only did that but we gave ourselves the chance to play for multiple days.""This job has been a dream of mine for a long, long time and for year one, it went even better

than I could have imagined," Garrett added. "Each year I think it's important to have that game that provides a lifetime memory for the kids that were a part of that. As a coach you never directly make that happen, all we can do is prepare them mentally and physically to make the best of those moments when they arrive. Our kids did exactly that.

There are a number of games they can look back at and be extremely proud of themselves for winning the mental game when others would have given up. Not to mention the incredible buzzer beaters

in huge games. Other than the final game of the

season, this team won every loser out, do or die

game this season. Unfortunately, the magic ran

out, but that says a lot about who these kids are."

"We started off this summer trying to teach

the kids the importance of teamwork and valuing

each role on the team," Garrett said. "There werecertainly moments we could have done a much

better job of this but overall I don't think we ever

make it nearly as far as we did without realizing

exactly that."

"From the youngsters to the seniors, these kids

battled each day and grew all season long," Garrett said. "They were able to have tough conversations and take ownership in difficult situations.

Being a coachable as a teenager is much more difficult that many people think and I'm extremely

proud of what these guys accomplished this year. I

think they have set forth a great example of what

Wahkiakum Boys Basketball will be all about

for years to come. They should all be very proud

of their accomplishments and the tradition theyhave started."