Outlaws lose a heartbreaker

The Sisters Outlaws basketball team just missed pulling off an upset against the pumped-up Mollala Indians on Friday, February 4, losing a heartbreaker 60-61.

Sisters trailed the Indians by as much as 17 points. Sisters was in a 17-5 hole after the first quarter and was still buried 30-16 going into halftime. Heading into the final frame, Sisters was within 11 at 45-34.

Sisters had its lowest output of the season during the first half. The Outlaws' measly 16 points was less than half of their regular season output.

"We played horribly," said Coach Rand Runco of the first half performance.

In the second half the team looked like a different bunch of Outlaws.

"We showed more patience, crisper execution, and quick transitions on defense," Runco said.

The Outlaws comeback was amazing considering the quality athletes that fill the roster of the eighth-ranked Indians. Ryan Mead led the Indians' charge with 23 points and Mike Kirkham had 12. David Bratcher recorded five assists and snagged 12 rebounds.

During the final quarter Sisters left everything they had on the floor, reaching for the upset win.

"We played all out," said sophomore guard Mike Greene.

Sisters was within striking distance with a minute left. Coach Runco converted his strategy to a spread offense so he could penetrate the middle of the court. Evan Owens made several drives to the hole, dishing the ball out to Dusty Macauley on the perimeter.

This tactic spread out Mollala's defense. Macauley hit two treys with leaving the Outlaws down by six.

Macauley hit a 18 foot jumper to close the gap to four.

With time running down, Greene drove to the hoop for what coach Runco described as "a beautiful reverse left-handed lay-in."

Greene's shot pulled the Outlaws within one. Mollala in-bounded the ball and Sisters fouled the Indians to stop the clock. Mollala sank one of its two free throws. Runco called time out. The Outlaws set up a three-point play. Greene was to drive to the hoop and then kick the ball out to Macauley, Owens or Kyle Kinney.

The Indians swarmed Macauley, so Greene swung the ball to Jered Coffield on the post. Coffield sank the two- point shot but couldn't draw the foul.

The one-point loss dropped Sisters to 4-14 overall leaving playoff hopes fading.

Earlier during the week the Outlaws were thumped by the Woodburn Bulldogs 79-59 on Tuesday, February 1. The Outlaws were out-rebounded by the Bulldogs' enormous front court, 33-17.

Sisters had trouble dealing with Woodburn's post, John Fischer. Fischer scored a game- high 24 points. Macauley led Outlaws players with 14 points ,and Owens almost equaled that with 13.

Sisters shot an anemic 50 percent from the free throw line and hauled down only 17 boards.

"They pounded us inside," Runco said.

Jered Coffield, Sisters' big man in the middle, became tangled with Fischer early in the game and soon had to be benched so he would not foul out. Runco had to turn to defensive specialist Shane Crowder for help in the middle, but he was ineffective.

"I tried everything I knew; nothing worked I just kept getting into trouble," he said.

Woodburn had 17 offensive rebounds and most of its points came off second attempts.

The Outlaws are set to play the North Marion Huskies on their home court on Friday, February 11.