Girls hoops takes first in consolation

The Lady Outlaws traveled to Phoenix, Thursday through Saturday, December 16-18 to participate in the Phoenix Invitational Tournament. Sisters lost their first game of the tourney but bounced back with two consecutive victories to win in consolation.

Sisters was scheduled to play Rogue River at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night but didn't arrive until 5:35 p.m. after a grueling 6-1/2-hour bus ride. With just 16 minutes to warm up, the Outlaws had a rough first half and trailed the Lady Chieftains 28-23 at the half. Rogue River outscored Sisters 22-13 in the third quarter but then the Outlaws finally got their game rolling.

"Our light switch turned on with 34 seconds left in the third quarter," said Coach Julianne Horner. "We couldn't get our legs to turn on prior to that."

Sisters outscored the Chieftains 21-11 in the final period but it wasn't enough to get the win. The Outlaws lost the contest 61-57, which put them into the consolation bracket.

Chelsie McConville scored a season-high 18 points to lead the Outlaws in scoring. Marin Allen scored 12, and Taylor Nieri and Lauryn Chauncey both contributed 10.

On Friday, Sisters recorded their first win of the season with a 57-41 victory over Newport. The Outlaws came out strong on defense and ran an effective offense, which set the tempo of the game. Sisters really turned it on in the second quarter and outscored Newport 21-8. At the half the Outlaws held a commanding 36-18 lead.

Several girls who hadn't seen much court time were given the opportunity to play and did a great job of holding onto the lead.

"Savannah Spear, Lauryn Chauncey and Harley Rowe played great defense for us in the second half," said Horner. "They continued the tempo we'd set in the first half. They did a fantastic job.

"Newport couldn't stay with us," added Horner. "Overall, we played solid defense and we executed much better on offense."

Taylor Nieri scored a career-high 27 points, just one point off the school record. Marin Allen scored eight of her 10 points in the second quarter. Katie Yozamp contributed six points and Carissa Kernutt and Chelsie McConville each added four.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, December 14, the Outlaws lost 47-39 at Madras.

"We need to get stronger in our offense and then we'll be right on track," Coach Horner said. "The girls played well and it was a big step up both offensively and defensively compared to our game against Cascade.... I still was impressed with the entire team's performance."

December 28-29, Sisters hosts the annual holiday tournament. The Lady Outlaws will kick off the round-robin tournament against Philomath on Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. and then play Crook County at 5:15 p.m. Sisters' final game will be against Estacada on Wednesday at 10 a.m.