Outlaws suffer two tough losses

The Outlaws boys basketball team lost by just one point, 58-57, to the Billies at Pleasant Hill in a non-league game on Tuesday, February 1. Three days later Sisters lost by two in a final score of 55-53 at home to the visiting Huskies of Sweet Home.

On Tuesday, the Outlaws played a makeup game against Pleasant Hill, who boasts a very good, physical team.

Both teams executed well, and according to Coach Rand Runco it was a clean and well-officiated game. Sisters shot 70 percent from the field and were 100 percent from the free throw line, but sadly for the Outlaws, the Billies did the same.

"I don't think I have ever had a team play so well and not come out ahead," said Runco.

Eli Harrison led the Outlaws with 21 points and nine rebounds. John Erickson played even though he was very sick and still racked up 17 points and seven boards. Chase Goff scored 14 points and Jalen Miller had five assists.

Three days later it was a similar game which resulted in another disappointing loss. Sisters lost by two at home to the Huskies.

Gavin Kaufman, the Huskies best player and returning player of the year in their league, started out well and hit very tough shots. Kaufman had 15 points by halftime.

The Outlaws built an eight-point lead early in the fourth. Sweet Home hit some tough shots, but Sisters hung onto the lead until the last few minutes when the Outlaws saw their lead disappear due to a few untimely turnovers and missed shots.

Sisters had six turnovers in the game; critically, three of the six were in the last two minutes of the contest.

The Outlaws scored on only one of nine possessions in the final minutes of the game and missed a lay-in to tie it with one second left on the clock.

"It was a really tough loss," said Runco. "We are playing very well, but now need to finish the game against the tough teams. We are working on a lot of time and score situations and will improve this final piece. We are really improving and need to make the next jump to become a top team."

Runco noted that Zech Mickel played a great game defensively and hit some key shots for the Outlaws.

Harrison scored 21 points for the Outlaws and Erickson recorded 17. Both Harrison and Erickson hit three shots from behind the arc. Zech Mickel contributed eight points, and Jalen Miller added five.

Sisters is 3-4 in Sky-Em play and 11-8 overall. The Outlaws were to play at Junction City on Tuesday, February 8, and will host Cottage Grove at home on Friday, February 11. Games are scheduled for 7:15 p.m.