Outlaws participate in Phoenix tourney

The Outlaws boys basketball team lost their first two games at the Phoenix Invitational Tournament (December 16-18) but turned it around and notched a 46-37 win over Mount Shasta of California in their final game.

On Thursday, Sisters lost 68-60 to Phoenix in their opening game of the tourney. Phoenix, a top-five-ranked team with excellent players, was a great test for the young Outlaws team. Sisters played a poor first quarter but came back strong and beat them in the final three quarters. It just was not enough to make up for the first quarter, where the Outlaws were outscored by 12.

Coach Rand Runco said, "Turnovers plagued us during the game and we got hurt on the boards. I was proud of the boys for not giving up, and we cut it to three in the third and then to six in the fourth. We played really tough down the stretch but missed three open shots in the final 30 seconds that would have potentially cut it to a tie game."

Runco noted that Sebastain Boehm was key to the Outlaws' comeback with three three-point shots in the game. Boehm finished with 11 points on the night.

John Erickson scored 23 points to lead the Outlaws, and Eli Harrison recorded 19 for the night. Jalen Miller was able to play more minutes and also was a great contributor in the game. Ryan Gridley was praised for his excellent game on the defensive end.

Friday, the squad suffered a 52-49 loss to Illinois Valley in another very close contest.

Runco told The Nugget he was not happy with the Outlaws' energy and said that the team had trouble defending Illinois Valley's best player and got beat up on the boards by their post player.

"We battled but without the defensive effort that we usually have. We made a run again at the end of the game, but it was just too little too late," said Runco. "They were a good team, but we were sluggish."

Erickson was hot from outside and hit six three-pointers for the Outlaws. Erickson led the team with 26 points on the night. Harrison posted nine points for Sisters and Mickel added six.

The Outlaws earned a 46-37 win over Mt. Shasta on Saturday. Sisters doubled up on Shasta in the fourth quarter, outscored them 14-7 and recorded the win.

Sisters played with much better energy and executed well. At the half Sisters held a 21-20 lead.

The bench really stepped up their play when John Erickson and Eli Harrison both got into foul trouble and had to sit out most of the third quarter. At the close of the third period Sisters still held a narrow 32-30 advantage.

In the final period, Eli Harrison re-entered the game and hurt the White Buffaloes for several possessions. The Outlaws pulled it all together in the final quarter and won by five.

Jalen Miller played an excellent game and finished with 12 points, and Erickson again scored over 20.

"I was very impressed with our perimeter defense from Jordan Hodges, Sebastain Boehm and Chase Goff," said Runco. "And, Ryan Gridley did a great job on the glass during this game. Zech Mickel again was a scoring threat and really attacked the basket."

Runco told The Nugget what his team learned from the tournament experience.

"We improved over the tournament and realize that we really have to work as a team and play with a high energy at all times," said Runco. "I felt we really grew as a team and started to define some specific roles."

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, December 14, the Outlaws came from behind to pull off a 48-43 win at home over Madras.

Sisters will host the annual holiday tournament December 28-29.