Lady Mules win on, lose to Trojans, Ducks

The Wahkiakum Lady Mules basketball team thumped Morton but lost to Toutle Lake and Pe Ell in Central League action this week.

On Tuesday, the Mules led visiting Toutle Lake 50-44 with four minutes to go but lost 56-52 as fouls took two key players out of the game. The Mules had outscored the Ducks 20-9 in the third quarter, but the Ducks turned the tables in the fourth and outscored the Mules 22-9.

Jordyn Wirkkala led the Mule scoring with 15 points. Shelby Deaton added 13, Evelyn Clark 11, Shelby Felton and Kari Schillios five each, and Brianna Olsen three. Clark made nine steals and seven rebounds. Deaton had 13 rebounds and four steals, and Schillios had nine rebounds. Wirkkala made four steals and four assists.

The Mules made 20 of 52 shots, 38 percent, and nine of 22 free throws, 41 percent. The Ducks made 23 of 53 shots, 43 percent, and eight of 20 free throws, 40 percent.

"We are still making adjustments and trying to get a feel for what works," said Coach Tiffany Niemeyer. "We put together a great third quarter, but foul trouble didn't help us hold on to our lead. The girls are playing with great heart; we just need to put together a full game."

The Mules traveled to Pe Ell on Saturday and lost 50-44. The Mules led 23-19 at halftime but were outscored 12-5 in the third quarter and 19-16 in the fourth.

"They were sent to the free throw line 24 more times than us," Niemeyer noted. "They shot 19 free throws in the fourth quarter, and we shot five in the whole second half. Two starters fouled out, and we had a hard time recovering after that."

Deaton led the Mule scoring with 14 points. Wirkkala had 12, Schillios eight, Clark and Felton four each and Olsen two.

Deaton had 10 rebounds, Clark nine, and Schillios six. Wirkkala had five assists, and Felton made four.

The Mules made 15 of 46 shots, 33 percent, and 10 of 14 free throws, 71 percent. The Trojans made 14 of 42 shots, 33 percent, and 17 of 38 free throws, 45 percent.

The Mules traveled to Morton and overwhelmed the Huskies 64-25. They led 20-11 after one quarter and 41-14 at halftime.

Clark led the scoring with 16 points; Felton had 12, Wirkkala 11, Olsen 10, Deaton five, Schillios and Brianne Helms four each, and Blaine Land two. Deaton had 13 rebounds and Schillios eight. Clark made eight steals, and Wirkkala had eight assists.

"This was a good win for us," Niemeyer said. "Everyone contributed, and the girls played well as a team."