Ducks stop Mules fordistrict title - Mules open state against LaConner

Story and photos by Rick Nelson

The Toutle Lake Ducks upset the previously undefeated Wahkiakum Mules 51-42 to claim the Class 2B boys district basketball championship last Saturday.

The teams started play in the state tournment yesterday; action continues today.

The Mules seemed to have the Saturday game in control at halftime, but the Ducks outscored them 33-15 in the second half as the Mules ran out of gas.

Toutle took an early lead, but when Toby David hit a couple of three pointers midway through the first quarter, the momentum switched to the Mules, who led 11-6 when the quarter ended.

In the second quarter, the Ducks fought back, closing the gap to 19-17. The Mules then moved away to lead 28-18 at halftime.

Toby David, 30, pulled down a rebound

and scored 21 points Saturday as Toutle

Lake upset the Mules 51-42 to win the

Class 2B district championship.

The Ducks started edging closer in the third quarter, with Luke Lindquist hitting a couple three point shots to cut the Mule lead to 35-33 at the end of the third quarter.

The Ducks tied game at 35-35 on two free throws by Dustin Elam at 6:41 of the fourth quarter. Brandon Ferguson put the Mules up 39-37 at 5:00, and David made one of two free throws for a 40-37 Mule lead at 4:15.

Elam tied the game 40-40 on a three pointer at 3:00; David scored for a 42-40 Mule lead at 2:16, and the Ducks converted a steal into a 42-42 tie at 1:53.

From there, the game belonged to the Ducks. The Mules couldn't put sometimes forced shots into the basket, and when the Mules fouled to stop the clock, the Ducks made their free throws to earn their win.

"We played good defense, but we couldn't get the job done on offense," said Mule Coach Bill Olsen.

"Toby David played well, and so did Brandon Ferguson," Olsen said. "But when we needed someone to step up, no one did, and that hasn't happened all year."

Toutle Lake--Luke Lindquist 12, James Davidson 0, Bobby Breece 0, Brandon Bartlett 2, Jeston Harris 10, Pat Casi 12, Dustin Elam 13, Jeran Delapp 0, Jeff Campbell 2.

Wahkiakum--Ty Briscoe 4, Brandon Ferguson 8, Travis Bain 6, Toby David 21, Romeo Savant 3, Damien Deaton 0, Josh Gerlach 0.