Boys basketball will host Pleasant Hill in playoffs

Although the boys basketball team suffered a tough 51-46 loss at home to Cottage Grove (CG) on Friday, February 20, they will host Pleasant Hill in a playoff game on Wednesday, February 25. Tip off time is set for 7 p.m.

In last week's action the Outlaws lost 63-54 at Pleasant Hill (February 10) but bounced back to earn a 51-26 victory over Junction City three days later.

It was a close and intense game against the visiting Lions on February 20. Sisters was down by five with two minutes left in the first quarter, but by the close of the period they had closed the Lions lead to 13-9.

Cory Holt gave the Outlaws a spark at the start of the second quarter, followed by a three-point shot from Drew Harrison which pushed the Outlaws into the lead at 16-15. Harrison drained another big three in the quarter and closed out the half going 2/2 from the line.

At the half Sisters held a 28-24 advantage.

The Outlaws maintained the lead throughout the third quarter. Randy Ketchum came off the bench and scored two at the buzzer to end the third quarter and keep the Outlaws out front at 36-30.

With just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Lions hit a three-point shot and captured the lead at 42-39. Harrison countered with a three to tie the game 42-42.

With 45 seconds left in the game, CG pushed ahead by four at 48-44. Harrison quickly penetrated the key and scored to close the Lion lead to 48-46. The Lions went into a stall and the Outlaws were forced to foul. Sisters was charged with an intentional foul with 21 seconds left on the clock. The Lions made one of their two shots at the line, went ahead by three and got the ball out-of-bounds due to the intentional foul. Cottage Grove was unable to score and the Outlaws took possession; however, they missed their shot and were forced to foul again. The Lions hit 2/2 at the line and the game ended in a 51-46 loss for Sisters.

Harrison led all Sisters scorers with 13 points.

In Tuesday's game on February 10, Sisters suffered a disappointing loss against the Billies of Pleasant Hill. The Billies matched up in both size and strength with the Outlaws and proved to be a formidable foe.

Pleasant Hill's pressure prevented Sisters from hitting shots and executing on offense.

The Billies held a 14-11 lead at the close of the first quarter and at the half were up 28-24.

Tyler Miller, Ross Erickson and Drew Harrison, all key players for the Outlaws, were in foul trouble throughout the game.

The Outlaws were outscored by five in the third period and lost the contest by nine, 63-54.

Erickson said, "I thought we executed well on offense in the second half but we didn't control the boards like we usually do and they made good on their second attempts. We got good looks at the basket but the shots just weren't falling."

Erickson led the Outlaws with 24 points, including 11 points in the fourth quarter. Erickson had seven rebounds and was 12/16 from the free throw line.

Coach Jake Rothauge was charged with a technical late in the game.

After a coach is charged with a technical they are not allowed to stand up for the remainder of the game. Rothauge stood up and as result was ejected and was not able to coach in Friday's game against Junction City.

Assistant coach Jesse McFarland stepped in for the Outlaws 51-26 victory at home over the Tigers.

McFarland made special note of Tyler Miller:

"Tyler Miller's presence inside getting the rebounds and scoring really helped set the pace for us and helped us get into our offense."