Lady Outlaws earn win over Elmira

The Lady Outlaws notched their first league win of the season with a 47-28 victory on the road against Elmira on Friday, January 9.

Sisters jumped out early and held a 13-9 lead at the close of the first quarter. Elmira battled back and held Sisters to just four points in the second period. Entering the half the Outlaws were down 20-17. Midway through the third quarter the Outlaws found themselves down by five but by the close of the period Sisters had pulled ahead and regained the lead 27-25.

The Outlaws offense exploded in the final period and outscored Elmira 19-3 to seal the win.

Points were distributed throughout several players. Danelle Allen led all scorers with 11 points, including six in the fourth quarter. Chelsie McConville scored four of her eight points in the fourth and Susan Ruettgers scored four of her six points in the final period. Marin Allen and Kianna Jiminez contributed six points. Jiminez was also an incredible force on the boards. Kianna pulled down 16 rebounds on the night, including 10 offensive boards.

The Allen sisters, Danelle and Marin, each had four steals on the night.

"Tonight was a big win for us," said Coach Kevin Cotner. "I knew that energy was going to be a factor as it was a road game at the end of a long week. We talked a lot about making sure teammates were emotionally energized. When we first came out we struggled to get into any rhythm. We were forcing shots and not making them. Midway through the third quarter we just flipped a switch. We ended the quarter up by two and then proceeded to drop the hammer with a 19-3 fourth quarter."

Much of the Outlaws' success in the final quarter can be attributed to their offensive execution.

Cotner said, "We were making the extra pass and getting high percentage shots inside the paint. Danelle and Marin Allen really got us jump started in that fourth quarter with defensive pressure at the top of the key that resulted in a number of steals for easy transition points. I hope we can use this win to rally us into our game with third-in-state-ranked La Pine."

Three days earlier the Lady Outlaws put up a great battle against top-ranked Marist, but unfortunately, lost the contest by four in a final score of 45-41.

Sisters jumped out early to take a 5-1 lead. Marin Allen sparked the team's energy with two back-to-back reverse lay-ins. At the close of the first quarter Sisters held a 12-9 lead over the visiting Spartans.

With two minutes left in the second period the Spartans had pushed to a 20-15 advantage. Lay-ins from Susan Ruettgers and Danelle Allen pulled the Outlaws to within one point, trailing Marist 20-19. Marist scored two at the line with under a minute left on the clock but Sisters responded and closed the Spartan lead once again to one. Chelsie McConville grabbed a big offensive board and put it back up for a lay-in as the buzzer sounded to end the half. Marist hung onto the lead at 22-21.

The Lady Outlaws struggled in the third quarter and missed several easy opportunities to score. At the close of the period Sisters trailed by seven at 36-29.

Marist extended their lead to 40-29 at the start of the fourth quarter and then Karah Herr hit a three to give the Outlaws a boost. With 41 seconds left on the clock McConville hit both of her shots at the free throw line to pull Sisters to within six at 44-38. The clock ticked down to 13 seconds when Ruettgers made a bucket and was fouled on the shot. Her shot at the line was good and closed Marist's lead to three at 44-41.

The Outlaws were forced to foul, Marist made one of their two attempts and went up 45-41 to seal the win.

Points were distributed evenly throughout the team. Nicole Meadors led the Outlaws with 10 points, followed by Ruettgers who had nine points and eights rebounds. McConville scored six points and had three steals and Marin Allen had six points and two assists. Kiana Jiminez finished with four points and six boards. Danelle Allen contributed four points and Karah Herr pitched in for three.

The Outlaws were 8/12 from the line and Marist was 13/22.

Despite the loss, Coach Kevin Cotner was extremely pleased with his team's performance.

"I thought that tonight was a special moment for our team.

I saw more chemistry and more players support and emotionally fill the tanks of their teammates than I have in a while.

I felt for the first time in a long time that we had a bench full of teammates and coaches with the same heart, the same passion, and the same desire to achieve an outcome.

I saw huddles on the court, high fives on the free throw line, and smiles in the locker room.

These girls made strides tonight that far outweigh a win or a loss.

Did we win the game? No. Did we win in becoming a team? Yes.

Sometimes our greatest victories are the result of losses, and I hope that tonight is the start of something special," said Cotner.

Cotner also made special note of Hannah Boles, Kara Herr and Natalie Denney.

"I am proud of the commitment these three have made to the team and the acceptance of their role on this team. They did not play many minutes tonight, but they came in and made positive things happen...a big three by Herr and an assist by Hannah," said Cotner.

Ruettgers and Jiminez played a tremendous game at post and Cotner told The Nugget they implemented the team's game plan to perfection. Together they were able to shut down Allie Rogers, one of the premier posts in the state.

Ruettgers said, "Kiana and I partnered up to double-team Allie and it was great because we were successful. The way we were positioned denied the lob pass and Kiana's long arms prevented the easy bucket."

Jiminez was happy with the close game the Outlaws played.

"Last year they (Marist) killed us on the court and so this year to lose by four shows how far we've come. Coach told us what we needed to do and how we needed to play and we did it! To compete with one of the top 10 teams in the state was a good feeling and we can see we've definitely gotten better since the beginning of the season."

Sisters will host both games this week with action against La Pine on Tuesday, January 13, and then against Pleasant Hill on Friday, three days later.