The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws boys' basketball team wrapped up its season with a 56-47 home victory over Junction City (JC) after losing 42-51 three days earlier to Marist.

In Tuesday's game with Marist, Jared Hasskamp and Den Ketchum led the scoring with nine points each. Drew Harrison contributed seven, and Tanner Hodges had six.

The Outlaws struggled offensively and didn't get enough shots inside.

Friday's home game against Junction City was a tight one from the start. At the end of the first quarter, the Outlaws trailed JC 11-13.

Drew Harrison kicked off the second quarter with a quick bucket to tie the game at 13. JC answered right back to regain the lead. On the Outlaws' next possession, Cory McCaffrey leaped into the air to catch a long pass and with his left hand tossed the ball up and around for a sweet two points. The Tigers went on a six-point run before the Outlaws closed the lead to 17-21.

Nate Jackson hit a three-pointer and then dished a great pass to Jeff Sampson for two more, and Sisters took the lead at 23-22. At the half the score was tied 27-27.

The lead changed several times in the third quarter as both teams battled to hold onto the lead. Dan Ketchum ran the full length of the court, attacked the hoop and made a lay-in to tie the game 38-38 at the close of the third period.

The Outlaws took control of the game in the fourth quarter. At the three-minute mark the score was tied 42-42. Jared Hasskamp and Zach Lange made back-to-back threes, and Sisters pushed to a 48-42 advantage. At the two-minute mark Ketchum stole the ball and dished it off to McCaffrey. The shot was good, and the Outlaws went up 50-45. With 25 seconds left in the game, Jeff Sampson stole the ball for the Outlaws and dribbled the full length of the court. Sampson missed the shot, but Ketchum was there to grab the offensive rebound and put it back up for two to give the Outlaws a comfortable 54-47 advantage.

Lange made a basket with five seconds left on the clock to cap Sisters' scoring and secure the 56-47 victory.

"Junction City wanted to spread the court and slow it down, and we beat them at their own game," Coach Rand Runco said. "The guys just hung in there tonight, and for the first time we put all four quarters together. Tonight was a nice finish."

Zach Lange led the Outlaw offense with 15 points. Nate Jackson and Dan Ketchum each had 14 points. Lange, Jackson and Jeff Sampson were the leading rebounders for the night.

Runco praised Cory McCaffrey.

"He was like glue on defense and did a great job," said Runco.

Of the season Runco said, "Our inexperience haunted us earlier, but we gained so much over the season through lots of hard work and Saturday practices. The important thing is that these guys have grown so much over the season. We started with seven new players and had a brutal pre-season. The team was resilient and nothing kept them down. We improved every day of the season. It wasn't easy losing, but we learned a lot from it, as much as we hated it. But, it made us tougher, and we continued to get better. It's disappointing for us to not be in the playoffs, but now we know what we need to do to get there.

"These guys are incredible, and I feel blessed to have been able to coach them. This team has earned my respect, not just as players but as people," added Runco.