Lady Outlaws put up good fight

The Lady Outlaws lost 48-35 at Cascade on Thursday, December 11. Despite the loss, the team felt they fought a good battle against the top-ranked Cougars.

Coach Kevin Cotner told The Nugget that his team set goals for the night. Cotner told the girls if they could achieve those goals, they would put themselves in a position to win against a top team in the state.

Cotner said, "We achieved those goals consisting mainly of taking care of the ball offensively and rebounding, and were within five or six points with 2:30 left in the game. The intensity and passion that the girls played with tonight was contagious. It was a fun game to coach. We got the shots we wanted (55 for the game) and offensively we patiently and strategically moved the ball through the series of presses they attempted. The difference in the game was that they made a few more shots and doubled us up on free throw attempts (13 to 28)."

In the first quarter of play buckets from Susan Ruettgers, Chelsie McConville and Brittany Birkeland made it a one-point game with Sisters only trailing by one at 11-10. Cascade pulled ahead in the second period and at the half had pushed to a 26-18 advantage.

Sisters was outscored by three in the third but held their own in the fourth quarter. Both teams put nine points on the board in the final period and the game ended in a 48-35 loss for the Outlaws.

Points were distributed throughout the team for Sisters. Chelsie McConville and Kiana Jimenez each scored eight points for the Outlaws, followed by Marin Allen who recorded seven. Brittany Birkeland, Nicole Meadors and Susan Ruettgers each had four points on the night.

Jiminez had nine blocks in the game and Cotner said Kiana is continuing to make an impact every time she steps on the court.

Cotner also had praise for Marin Allen.

"Marin was huge for us tonight," said Cotner. "She was patient, controlled and efficient as she led our team successfully through their press time and again."

The team welcomed back Danielle Allen, who is returning to the squad after her appendectomy surgery. Allen will start working her way back into game shape and Cotner is hoping to start getting her minutes this week.

Two days before the Cougars game, the Lady Outlaws suffered a rough night on the court and were bested by the Lady Storm of Summit. Ruettgers led Sisters with eight points and Meadors scored six.

The Outlaws will travel to Madras on Tuesday, December 16, and will host Sweet Home on Wednesday. On Friday and Saturday, December 19-20, the Outlaws will compete in a tournament at Central.