Boys basketball defeats Stayton in 'play-in' game

The Outlaws basketball team played with control and intensity en route to their 55-32 victory over Stayton at home on Friday, February 25. With the win the Outlaws are one of 16 teams that will advance to the first round of the state playoffs.

Sisters will play at Tillamook on Friday, March 4. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

The students packing The Pit were on their feet for the entire contest, and cheered and shouted in support of the Outlaws.

After a very patient first possession by the Outlaws it became a very fast-paced quarter, with only two fouls called. Eli Harrison scored Sisters' first points of the contest with a three-point shot that pulled the Outlaws to within one point of the Eagles, 4-3. After Stayton came back with a bucket of their own a loose ball caused a scuffle on the floor and three players dove for the ball. Chase Goff scooped it up and took it in for a lay-in. Harrison downed two more threes in the quarter, one just before the buzzer, to help push Sisters to a 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Outlaws went on a 15-0 run in the second quarter and held the Eagles scoreless the entire period. Stayton went into a 2-1-2 zone the latter part of the quarter to change up their defense in an attempt to slow down the Outlaws' scoring spree. At the half Sisters held a commanding 27-8 lead.

Coach Rand Runco said, "Stayton really packed it in against us. We went outside and got some big shots which forced them to come out. I wasn't pleased with our start but then we got in control and into a rhythm. We descended well into the key and set the tone for the game."

Sisters outscored Stayton 14-11 in the third. The fourth quarter went back and forth and both teams put 14 points on the scoreboard. Sophomore Ethan Luloff scored one of two from the line for Sisters' final point of the contest.

"Overall, our defense executed very well, and we attacked nice offensively," Runco said. "I was especially happy with our offensive execution in the second and third quarters. It was a very rewarding win over a very good team."

Eli Harrison led the Outlaws in scoring with 21 points on the night, including four three-pointers. John Erickson scored 19 points in the contest and dished out five assists. Jalen Miller contributed six points and Chase Goff added four.