Outlaws win in a fight to the finish

Guy Mount scored 22 points for the Outlaws in a thrilling 69-67 playoff victory over the Cascade Cougars at home on Friday night, February 24.

Sisters took control of the game early, taking a 12-2 lead. At the half the Outlaws held a 12-point lead at 37-25.

Sisters held an 11-point lead early in the third period but the Cougars battled hard to get back in the game and it was a true fight to the finish.

Mount hit a huge three-pointer with a little over three minutes to go in the game to give the Outlaws back the lead at 61-58. Cascade regained the lead at 62-61 but Mount buried another three to push the Outlaws ahead for the remainder of the game.

“In the last minute we had the lead and we gave them (Cascade) a few opportunities we shouldn’t have,” said Coach Rand Runco.

“They made their run as good teams do, but we hung on and really showed grit. We were tough and really played as a team tonight.

“When they took away the three point shot and Brian (Knotts) was in foul trouble, James (Mohl) really stepped up and gave us some inside scoring and helped us on the boards,” said Runco.

Runco added, “The crowd and fans were just awesome. The band was nuts and the ‘pit’ (rowdy student section) was just going! It was so exciting — a classic high school game.”

Nine of Sisters’ 11 players scored in the game and as a team the Outlaws hit seven “threes” compared to one three-pointer for Cascade.

Mount had the team high 22 points, which included four threes. James Mohl finished with 12 points and Carter Davenport had 10. Nate Jackson contributed nine points and Chris Ashley added six. Jeff Fitter had four points and six assists.

Sisters is the No. 3 seed in the Capital Conference.

The Outlaws will travel to play either Riverside or La Grande, the No. 2 seed from the Greater Oregon League, on Wednesday night for the first round of the state playoffs.