Girls basketball team heads into playoffs

Despite the 47-30 loss at home to No. 2 ranked Cottage Grove (CG) on Friday, February 20, the Lady Outlaws will head into the District playoffs. The Outlaws will face Junction City for the third time this year in a playoff game for fourth place at JC on Thursday, February 26.

Last week the Outlaws earned a 44-37 win in overtime at Pleasant Hill (PH) and then lost 35-32 at home to Junction City (JC).

In Friday's game against Cottage Grove, the Lady Lions were too much for the Outlaws to handle. At the half Sisters trailed the Lions 26-14. In the third quarter the Outlaws were only 1/16 in their field goal attempts and Sisters fell further behind. Sisters put up 11 points in the final period but lost the contest by 17 in a final score of 47-30.

"We had too many unforced turnovers tonight," said Coach Kevin Cotner. "We had limited possessions where we actually got into our offense and got the shot we wanted. We just need to slow down and take a deep breath when we are on the court."

Nicole Meadors led the Outlaws with eight points. Danelle Allen and Chelsie McConville each contributed six points.

In Tuesday's game against Pleasant Hill the Outlaws were up by six with just under two minutes left in the contest. Sisters went into their delay game with the intention of scoring when the opportunity opened up.

"It felt like we started to play not to lose rather than to win," said Cotner.

Sisters had a couple of turnovers late in the game which allowed the Billies to close the gap to two. Pleasant Hill took the ball on the sidelines with eight seconds left on the clock and Sisters called a time out.

"We knew where the ball was going, but Pleasant Hill got off a tough shot that rolled into the hoop to send the game into overtime," said Cotner.

The Outlaws scored a couple of buckets early in overtime and held off the Billies with good defensive pressure.

Jenny Kaiser said, "We went into the game knowing we had to win to secure a playoff opportunity. Towards the end of the game we lost our composure and Pleasant Hill took advantage, closed the gap and tied it up. Overtime was kind of stressful but we really came together, calmed our game down and were patient with the ball and secured the win."

Three days later the Outlaws suffered a disappointing 35-32 loss at home to Junction City.

Neither team could hit a shot at the start of the game. At the close of the first period the Tigers held a 6-4 lead.

Sisters scored the first five points of the second quarter and took the lead at 9-8 and entered the half with an 11-10 advantage. At the end of the third quarter the Outlaws held the lead at 21-18.

The score went back and forth in the final period and with just under three minutes left in the game Susan Ruettgers hit a shot that tied it up 28-28. Sisters was forced to foul at the end and the Tigers hit their shots at the line. With 20 seconds left on the clock Ruettgers scored a bucket to close the Tiger lead to 34-32. JC hit one of two from the line at the close of the game to win by three, 35-32.

Cotner commented on the upcoming playoff game.

"We are officially starting a new season (post season) on Thursday where there are no second chances. We don't have the luxury of having a bad game. We need to get off the bus in JC with the most passion and heart. We need to be ready for a dog fight because there will be no gimmies in this game. We need to walk into their gym and take this game."