Lady Outlaws fall short at Holiday Tournament

The Lady Outlaws lost to LaGrande and to Crook County at the Sisters Annual Holiday Tournament held Tuesday through Thursday, December 27-29.

Sisters just couldn't get a shot to fall in their 59-38 loss against LaGrande. The Outlaws missed nine straight attempts at the basket in the first quarter, but did get one bucket: a three-pointer from Taylor Nieri. The Outlaws went 4/6 from the line and at the close of the first quarter trailed LaGrande 14-7.

Nieri hit another three in the second quarter and the Outlaws got two buckets from both Samantha Kaiser and Carissa Kernutt, but the team had trouble making the easy open shots. At the half LaGrande held a 32-20 advantage.

Coach Julianne Horner said, "It was a tough first half with our shooting percentage, and when the ball won't fall, it is hard to keep working that hard on defense."

Sisters played a strong third quarter but could not stop LaGrande's quick transition baskets. By the fourth quarter the Tigers had all the momentum going their way. Sisters was forced to slow it down and put LaGrande on the foul line. In the end the Outlaws lost by 21.

"It was a night of good work, but not getting the ball to fall in the basket," stated Horner.

Nieri led the team in scoring, with 14 points. Kaiser scored eight and Kernutt added six.

The Outlaws went on to play Crook County (CC) and lost 47-37. Sisters once again had a very difficult first quarter and could not get the ball to fall. The Outlaws missed six consecutive shots at the hoop and at the end of the first quarter trailed the Cowgirls 14-2.

Sisters refocused and came out strong in the second period and played CC even with 12 points apiece. The Outlaws also had a solid third quarter, put CC on their heels and got to the foul line going 4/7.

"The girls were getting great looks at the basket and getting fouled," stated Horner. "We just needed to convert more from the free throw line to get the score closer."

In the final period the Outlaws' defense really stepped up and stopped CC from making a single basket. But, on the flipside, the Cowgirls went 10/14 from the line and held on strong for the win.

Nieri and Kernutt both scored 12 points in the game.

Horner said, "Down the line Crook County beat us from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. I was very proud of the girls for how hard they worked and dominated the rebounds and floor."

Sisters will play at home against Molalla on Friday, January 6.