Lady Outlaws knock off No. 2-ranked Cottage Grove

The Lady Outlaws earned a big 46-44 win on Friday, February 10, at Cottage Grove (CG), taking down the No. 2-ranked Lions in an exciting contest that came right down to the wire.

Sisters started the game a bit nervous and fouled Caldwell, the Lions' best scorer, under the basket and sent her to the line four times. Sisters also allowed two offensive put-back baskets and at the close of the first quarter CG held a six-point lead.

The Outlaws pulled it together and were much tougher and stronger in the second period. Sisters did not allow any CG player to score more than one basket. It was a close-scoring quarter with the Lions only outscoring the Outlaws by one, 14-13. At the half Sisters was down by seven, 33-26.

Momentum went Sisters' way in the third. Taylor Nieri drained two three-point shots and Carissa Kernutt followed with another three. Samantha Kaiser wrapped up Sisters' third-quarter scoring with a big basket over the Lions' posts. The Outlaws scored 11 points in the quarter and absolutely stifled the Lions' offense and held them scoreless. At the close of the third Sisters was on top, 37-33.

"Our defense in the third quarter was the best we have seen all year," said Coach Julianne Horner. "We allowed only one difficult shot for CG every possession and then blocked out strong."

Sisters maintained the lead in the fourth and with four minutes to go on the clock were up by seven. The Lions were able to make two baskets, which cut the Outlaws' lead to three, but they fouled Savannah Spear in the process and sent her to the line. Spear was good on one of her two attempts and put Sisters up by four with 30.3 seconds remaining in the game.

On the Lion's next possession, Kaiser went in for the block, reinjured her knee and was taken out of the game.

"It was difficult for the team to see Sam go down with her knee and know she was out for the rest of the game," said Horner. "Her leadership and outstanding defense is what put us in the position to win."

Claire Hensen stepped in for Kaiser and played strong. The Outlaws played solid defense and kept the Lions from taking a three-point shot. Cottage Grove got off a long two-point attempt and missed, but with .06 left on the clock they grabbed the offensive rebound and made a quick put-back at the buzzer. Sisters won by two in a final score of 46-44.

Nieri led the Outlaws with 22 points, including three threes and went 5/8 from the free-throw line. Spear finished with nine points, and Kernutt added seven.

Horner praised Kaiser and Kernutt on their defensive game.

"Samantha and Carissa played the best games of their high school careers on defense," stated Horner.

"They worked as a unit and did not allow any easy shots in the key and made Cottage Grove try and beat us from the outside.

Samantha's defensive composure was outstanding, and she did a fantastic job leading her team on all parts of the floor.

Throughout the season Sam has been instrumental in keeping the team strong, making key shots and motivating through positive verbal cues.

She did not allow their best player to get out and score, and due to her defense we were able to force the rest of the Cottage Grove team to try to beat us.

Sam's presence will be greatly missed coming down the home stretch in league."

Horner told The Nugget that it was the best she's seen the Lady Outlaws play all season.

Kaiser's diagnosis looks dismal. Horner stated that the trainer was 95 percent sure Kaiser tore her ACL and would be out for the remainder of the season.

Sisters will wrap up league play at home against La Pine on Friday, February 17. The game is to begin at 5:45 p.m.