Girls team splits a pair on the hardwood

The Sisters girls basketball team racked up a 47-26 victory over the Sweet Home Huskies at home on Friday, February 10.

Sweet Home started the game with a box-in-one on Katie Hughes, one of the Outlaws’ best shooters. In box-in-one, the defense plays zone except for one player who follows the target wherever she goes. It is designed to shut down a stand-out offensive player and it worked for a while.

The Huskies held Hughes scoreless in the first quarter.

“In the first quarter they (Sweet Home) did a nice job of running back to protect the paint,” said Sisters Coach Bill Blevins. “And, it took us a while to figure out what to run against their box-in-one.”

Hughes scored Sisters’ first five points in the second period to extend the Outlaw lead to 13-5. At the half Sisters held a 29-13 advantage. Sweet Home scored only 13 points in the second half and the game ended in a 47-26 victory for the Outlaws.

“This was a game we had to have and one we couldn’t afford to overlook,” said Blevins. “We had to take care of business and we did.”

Katie Hughes finished the night with 10 points and four rebounds. Cindy Harp pulled down 10 rebounds for the Outlaws and scored eight points. Emily VanBlaricum contributed eight points and five rebounds and Elyss Clasen had six points and three steals. Jenny Boswell scored six points, seven boards and three steals.

Three days earlier the Lady Outlaws lost 50-45 at Molalla.

According to Coach Blevins, Sisters didn’t shoot the ball well and he felt the third quarter cost them the game. The Lady Indians pushed their lead to 12 in the fourth quarter and Sisters couldn’t recover.

Sisters also got into foul trouble which hurt as well. Emily VanBlaricum had to take the bench when she fouled out in the third quarter of play.

“We didn’t adjust very well to how the game was being officiated,” said Blevins. “But, I’ve got to give Molalla credit. They did a nice job of breaking our press.”

Jenny Boswell led the Outlaws with 14 points, which included going four for four from the free throw line. Cindy Harp pulled down 12 boards and had seven points and three steals.

“Cindy was a strong presence inside,” said Blevins. “She’s shooting better and it’s been nice to see her come around.”

As a team the Outlaws shot 32 percent from the field and were eight for 12 from the line at 66 percent.

The Lady Outlaws are currently in second place in the Capital Conference standings and will play their final league game at Cascade on Friday, February 17.