Girls basketball squad endures rough week

The struggling Lady Outlaws lost 31-54 to Marist at home on Monday, February 4. Four days later Sisters suffered a 29-42 loss at Junction City.

Rebounds were the difference in the game with Marist on Monday night. The Spartans pulled down 28 offensive boards and a total of 50 rebounds for the night.

"I've never seen a team get 28 offensive rebounds in one night," said Coach Kevin Cotner. "It was incredible and definitely the difference in the game. We get into great position, but we just have to learn how to drive them out of the lane consistently."

Sisters was held to six points in the first quarter and was down 14-33 at the half. The Outlaws did a better job in the second half. Sisters scored five in the third quarter and only allowed the Spartans to put up seven. In the fourth the Outlaws were again only outscored by two, 14-12.

Kali Ulmer scored 13 points for Sisters, Kiana Jiminez contributed five and Danelle Allen added four.

The 6-feet-1-inch tall Allie Rogers led the Spartans with 14, and Marshall King (six feet) finished with 11. Both players were major contributors to the Spartans outstanding rebounding.

Cotner said: "We have to find a way to compete with teams from 10 feet and out. Players have to take the mid-range shot. We rely so heavily on scoring within six feet, and teams are starting to collapse and deny consistent scoring. We will adjust!"

Four days later the Outlaws suffered another loss at Junction City. At the half Sisters was down 5-24.

Cotner told The Nugget his team had numerous turnovers in the first half and wasn't able to execute offensively or communicate defensively.

The Outlaws adjusted and played a great second half. Sisters went on a 20-3 run from the start of the third quarter to the six-minute mark in the fourth period to cut the Tiger lead to two at 25-27.

In the last six minutes of the game, the Outlaws had some mental mistakes down the stretch, turned the ball over several times and just couldn't get the ball in the hole. Sisters was outscored 15-12 in the final period.

"The girls showed a lot of heart against the No. 2 team in the state," said Cotner. "They came out at the start of the second half down by 19 and played the best 10 minutes they've played offensively and defensively all year long. We beat them in the second half 24-18, but we'd dug too big a hole in the first and second quarters."

Ulmer led the Outlaws with 13 points. Allen had eight points, and Jiminez finished with five.

Sisters will host Elmira on Tuesday, February 12 and Cottage Grove on Friday, February 15.