Mules get close wins vs. Naselle, Kalama

Rambunctious Rivalry

The game against Naselle was always going to be an energy-charged contest, and the crowd was loud and proud from the jump when the Comets traveled to Cathlamet. The crowd erupted when Parker Leitz grabbed a steal and got the first points on the board with a finger roll on the fast break.

It would remain a tight contest through the first, with fans of both teams roaring their support whenever their team made a play. Though Naselle led for much of the opening period, they only went into the second quarter up one. It would be Leitz who would also score the last points of the quarter, knocking in a beautiful pull-up three to bring the score to 14-15.

The second quarter was a strong showing for the Mules. Powered by good defensive intensity, strong play inside, and some hot three-point shooting, Wahkiakum outscored Naselle 25-8. The Mules were lighting it up from deep, with several players hitting threes in the period. Luckily for the Comets, they were able to grab a small bit of momentum going into the break, thanks to a buzzer-beating jump shot from Jacob Lindstrom, to make the score 39-23.

Naselle would not give up, though. The Comets started the third on a 7-0 run before Wahkiakum stopped the bleeding with a banked-in three, making the score 42-30. The final minute of the third was a blur as the teams traded baskets, and Wahkiakum's lead was cut to 48-39 by the end of the period.

The score would only get tighter in the fourth as Naselle ramped up the pressure. Lindstrom hit a huge three to bring the Comets within one with just under five minutes to play, 49-50. Gage Robinson was tireless for the Mules, tearing down rebounds on offense and defense. After a breakout layup from Jayden Stoddard put Wahkiakum up 53-49, Leith Chadwick answered right back with a three-pointer, the Comets refusing to go away.

A layup from Robinson nearly brought the house down as he stretched Wahkiakum's lead back to three 55-52 with 2:16 on the clock. After some Naselle free throws, the game was tied 55-55. A Wahkiakum turnover gave the Comets a chance for their first lead since the second quarter with 1:26 left on the clock. With Naselle driving, Robinson came up with a huge block to keep the game tied and came down with the rebound.

The game's final makes would come at the free throw line. In a frenzied final minute, neither team could get a field goal to fall. Leitz and Robinson would end up closing out the game with free throws, despite some nervy misses.

The celebrations at the final buzzer were immense, with the crowd exploding and Mules players cheering and jumping up and down on the court after Naselle's halfcourt heave landed off target.

It was a big win for the Mules, and they carried the momentum into a nail-biting conference win against Kalama. Wahkiakum has started the league campaign 4-1 ahead of the Jan. 21 matchup with Three Rivers Christian; the result of that game is not known at the time of press.