Sweeney selected to all-tournament team

The Outlaws boys basketball team hit the hardwood for the Philomath Tournament, December 19-21. They lost to Marist 59-53, defeated Elmira 54-53 and lost in overtime to Philomath 65-55.

Zack Sweeney played outstanding ball in each game and was honored for it with all-tournament team selection.

Sisters matched up against the Marist Spartans, ranked No. 2 in the state, on Thursday. It was the first showing for the Outlaws as a complete team, minus Jawan Davis, who was out with an injury.

At the end of the first half the Outlaws were up 27-25, and going into the fourth quarter were up by one. Sisters held a six point lead with just over three minutes to go in the game. The Outlaws battled the entire game against a bigger squad but had trouble in the final minutes.

"We just ran out of gas," said Runco. "(We) turned the ball over and struggled finishing."

Marist outscored the Outlaws 23-15 in the fourth quarter, and defeated the Outlaws 59-53.

Zack Sweeney had a game high 24 points. Colin Davies contributed nine and both Patrick MacFarland and Seth Teague had seven.

MacFarland and Andy Macauley had 20 rebounds between them.

"That's quite remarkable," said Runco, "considering they were rebounding against very good players who were almost a foot taller than they were."

On Friday the Outlaws defeated Elmira 54-53. Sisters jumped out to an early lead and was up 29-19 at half-time.

"Then we tapered off," said Runco, "and Elmira got hot in the third and fourth quarters and caught us."

Elmira took a four point lead with approximately three minutes to go in the game. The Outlaws weren't about to give up.

Both Macauley and MacFarland pulled down two critical rebounds.

With 12 seconds to go in the game and down by two the Outlaws regained possession of the ball.

"We set up an inbound play for Zack," said Rand, "and he hit a deep three with hands in his face."

Sisters took a 54-53 lead. Elmira had one last chance with the final possession but Teague stole the ball and time ran out. The Outlaws claimed the 54-53 victory.

Sweeney again came up big for Sisters with 16 points. MacFarland had 12 and Macauley 11.

On Saturday, the Outlaws matched up against Philomath, who last week moved to the No. 1-ranked position in the state. Sisters came up short, losing 65-55 in overtime.

The Outlaws started out strong with a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, and found themselves down by only one, 25-24, at the half. By the end of the third quarter Sisters had regained the lead at 40-37. With a minute to go in the game the Outlaws were up by two points.

Three disappointing turnovers followed and Philomath tied the game 51-51.

Runco said, "We set a last second play and just didn't get it off and the game went into overtime," Runco said. "In OT we just ran out of gas and were outscored 14-4."

The Outlaws lost 65-55. Sweeney had 15 points in the game, and Teague followed with 14. Macauley had eight points and 10 rebounds.

Sweeney was one of five players named to the All Tournament Team.

He scored 55 points in three games.