Outlaws take first at Holiday Tourney

The boys basketball team placed first at the Sisters Holiday Tournament which was held Monday and Tuesday, December 29-30.

Sisters defeated Burns in the final game on Tuesday to take the crown. Sweet Home finished third and Gladstone placed fourth.

Sisters earned a 58-37 win over Sweet Home in their first game of the tournament on Monday. The Outlaws started off a bit slow and only held a two-point lead over the Huskies at the close of the first quarter at 13-11. Sisters put together a good second quarter and outscored Sweet Home 13-7. At the half the Outlaws held a 26-18 advantage.

The Huskies battled back in the third and played even with the Outlaws, with both teams scoring 14 points in the period. Sisters shut down the Huskies in the final period and allowed them only five points. The win moved Sisters into the championship game against Burns on Tuesday.

Levi Rowe led the Outlaws with 16 points, including three three-pointers. Ross Erickson had 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in the game. Drew Harrison contributed nine points and three steals and Tyler Miller scored nine points and pulled down eight boards.

Coach Jake Rothauge said, "Sweet Home is a good defensive team, and they're athletic and quick. We did a good job executing in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win."

On Tuesday, the Outlaws defeated Burns in the championship game with a final score of 42-24.

The Outlaws jumped out early, and at the end of the first quarter held a 16-8 lead. Sisters held Burns to just 12 points in the first half. Entering the half Sisters held a 26-12 advantage.

Sisters' defense did a great job in the third quarter and held Burns to just three points. At the close of the third period Sisters had pushed to a 34-15 lead and coasted through the fourth quarter for the win.

Ross Erickson scored nine points, had seven steals and dished out six assists in the game. Levi Rowe scored 10 points, Tyler Miller contributed six and Kevin Wistrom and Drew Harrison each pitched in four.

Rothauge said, "Burns is a well-coached team. We just played them on the 23rd and they knew everything we had, so to dominate them like we did tonight was awesome. We're really coming together as a team and getting better every day."

The Outlaws will host Marist at home on Tuesday, January 6, in the first league game of the season. On Saturday, January 10, the Outlaws will host Cascade. Game time is scheduled at 5 p.m.