Lady Outlaws win league opener

The girls basketball team played an outstanding game in their 42-33 win over La Pine at home on Wednesday, January 9. The win was an impressive team effort to overcome one of the top teams in the state.

The Lady Outlaws got off to a slow start and with two minutes remaining in the period found themselves down 2-10. Key buckets from Susan Reuttgers and Kali Ulmer closed the Hawk lead to three at 10-7 at the close of the first quarter.

Neither team scored a point the first four-and-a-half minutes of the second quarter. With 3:30 left in the half, Danielle Allen dished a great pass to Kiana Jiminez under the basket, who easily made the shot, got the Outlaws rolling and closed La Pine's lead to 10-9. Mackenzie Williams scored to give Sisters their first lead in the contest at 11-10. The

Outlaws pushed ahead to finish off the half with a 16-13 lead.

Sisters held La Pine scoreless the first four-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter. Ulmer scored six points in the period to help boost the Outlaws to a 28-19 advantage. Sisters executed their offensive sets and set good screens which allowed for many easy buckets.

La Pine wasn't about to roll over and call it quits. The Hawks battled back and with 2:46 remaining in the game tied it up 33-33.

Coach Kevin Cotner called a timeout and told his players they were the better team, had been the better team the entire night and not to let La Pine take the game from them.

The Lady Outlaws responded with a vengeance. Sisters went on a 9-0 run and prevented the Hawks from scoring the remainder of the game. Brandi Palmer scored all six of her points in the fourth quarter to help secure the Outlaws' victory.

Cotner said: "Obviously, I'm very proud of the girls, and every player contributed. It was a character game for us. When they (La Pine) tied it up, it really could have gone either way. Our team was challenged, and the girls responded against a great team who's projected to finish in the top three in league. We were aggressive offensively, executed our press break, denied penetration and rebounded the ball."

Senior Kali Ulmer said: "The win was so rewarding, and we all had a lot of fun. We played hard and with intensity, which we've lacked in previous games. We played good, hard defense which we'll need every game if we want to compete with all the great teams in our league."

Ulmer led the Outlaw offense with 12 points. Allen contributed eight points and five rebounds. Palmer had six points and pulled down eight rebounds. Jiminez also scored six points and tied the school record with six blocks.

Sisters was scheduled to travel to Junction City on Tuesday, January 15, to face the Tigers who are 14-0 and ranked No. 1.