Girls basketball finishes fourth in league

The Lady Outlaws tallied two wins this past week to finish fourth in league play and qualify for a play-in game. Sisters defeated the Falcons at Elmira 39-30 on Tuesday, February 14, and three days later beat La Pine 33-24 at home to finish league with three consecutive wins.

After the Outlaws took down Cottage Grove last week the Falcons moved into second place, and on Tuesday Sisters earned a big win over one of the top teams in the league.

Sisters took control of the game right from the start and played a great defensive game. The Outlaws only allowed the Falcons one basket and one foul shot in the first quarter. Carissa Kernutt and Lauryn Chauncey did a fantastic job of guarding the Falcons' big, inside players and kept them from good looks at the basket from the key. At the close of the first period Sisters held a 7-3 lead.

The Outlaws had a hard time getting their shots to fall in the second quarter but continued to keep Elmira's posts from taking control of the game.

Sisters went toe to toe with Elmira's inside players in the third and only allowed them outside shots. At the close of the third the Outlaws had pulled ahead and were on top by one. The Outlaws took complete control in the fourth and outscored the Falcons 18-10 to secure the win.

Lauryn Chauncey played the best game of her basketball career, with 10 points, three steals and two rebounds. Taylor Nieri scored 12 points, and Savannah Spear pitched in for seven. Carissa Kernutt finished with six points, seven steals and a great block inside.

Coach Julianne Horner said, "We knew coming into the fourth quarter in such a close game that there would be many fouls called. We knew we had to play solid defense and work hard at not fouling. The girls had great composure, used the clock well, and did their job stepping up to the free throw line setting up for the win."

Three days later the Outlaws beat La Pine at home.

It was a big night on the Outlaws' home court. Seniors were honored before the game and the team was decked out in pink for cancer awareness. All the festivities did not deter the Outlaws from their focus on sealing the fourth-place spot in league.

Sisters came out with control and patience and kept La Pine from getting into their running game. The score went back and forth and at the half it was tied up at 11-11.

In the third, the Outlaws scored three quick baskets and took a 17-11 lead. La Pine got into foul trouble and sent Sisters to the line three times. The Outlaws were good on five of the six attempts, which pushed them to a 22-12 advantage with one minute left in the period. The Hawks made a bucket in the final minute to end the quarter at 22-14.

The Lady Outlaws worked well handling the ball and kept their composure down the stretch. Carissa Kernutt hit a long two-point shot, and Savannah Spear made a quick lay-up that put Sisters up by 10 with three minutes to go in the game. The Hawks were only able to score one bucket in the final minutes, and the game ended in a big 33-24 win for the Outlaws.

Kernutt had another great game and finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and two steals. Nieri scored 10 points, Elise Herron contributed four and Spear added three.

"I was very proud of how the girls paced themselves and took control from the beginning," said Horner. "I am so impressed with this team in how strong they have finished their league games. The three-game winning streak that allowed us to finish fourth is a great testament to their hard work and teamwork. I believe this team is peaking at the right time, and they continue to get better each time we are on the hardwood."

The Outlaws will play at Philomath or Cascade in a play-in game on Friday, February 24.