Girls basketball returns veteran squad

The Lady Outlaws return seven players to their varsity squad and the four seniors, Taylor Nieri, Harley Rowe, Ellie Ricker, Lauren Cantwell, hope to lead their team to a successful league season.

Nieri returns for her fourth year on the varsity squad. She is co-captain, a leader on and off the court and is expected to break school records this season. Taylor is just 41 points away from being the all-time leading scorer for SHS and is also close to the record for the most three-point goals scored.

"Taylor has been working hard in the off-season to get ready for her senior year," said Coach Julianne Horner. "She showed great leadership in the summer ball program and we expect she will be even stronger during season. Taylor's role as a shooting guard will be a cornerstone to our program this year."

Rowe is back for a third season and brings amazing shooting skills. Horner told The Nugget that Harley is a quiet force and will be an asset on offense and her skills and stability will be much needed throughout the season.

Ricker returns for her third season and is also a co-captain.

"Ellie's leadership and positive attitude will be the foundation to our team," stated Horner. "Ellie brings a positive voice and energy to every practice and performance and is the driving force behind the team. Our coaching staff is always impressed with her servant leadership skills and believes she has an outstanding perspective of the game. The team will look to her for communication and guidance."

Cantwell rounds out the senior veterans. Lauren is back for her second year on varsity, and her passing ability will help the Outlaws move down the floor at a fast pace.

"Lauren has a natural, dead-on passing ability and can get it coast to coast with very little effort," stated Horner. "We look for her to contribute offensively."

Three juniors, Claire Henson, Jacobie Petterson, and Savannah Spear, also return for another season.

Horner told The Nugget that Henson is the full package.

"Claire has done an outstanding job getting in shape to run the floor and has matured in her ability to move as a small forward," stated Horner. "Claire's foot speed is the best I have seen in a long time for a small forward. She can beat my guards up and down the floor and not hesitate to be physical underneath."

Petterson worked hard in the off-season and has improved in every aspect of the game.

Horner said, "Jacobie is ready to take the floor. Her ball-handling, court awareness, defense and tenacity are going to be huge assets to the team at the point-guard/off-guard position. She is completely interchangeable and will play many different roles."

Spear will again play at point guard and be responsible for carrying the ball up the court.

"Savannah's ball-handling and finishing at the basket skills have improved dramatically since last season," said Horner. "She is reading the floor like a true veteran and is able to make good decisions when she is leading the team. Her strength and tenacity are her most valuable skills and we look for her to be a very strong leader."

New additions to the team include senior Cassidy Edwards and sophomores Cierra Mann, Gwen Knoop, Hailey Hudson, Chawnie Craig and Boston Moore.

Edwards is a transfer from Redmond High School and, according to Horner, is a competitor with a great sense of the court.

"Cassidy's tenacious attitude and skills will make the team a force when she is on the floor," said Horner. "Cassidy has fit into our team seamlessly. She is a wonderful addition, and I believe her experience at the 6A level will help us bring our game to a new level."

Mann, Knoop, Hudson, Craig and Moore round out the Outlaws roster and are expected to be instrumental players on the Outlaws' squad. Horner stated that all five players have strength, power and great awareness of the game.

Horner said, "Our motto for this season is 'we end where we begin.' We went to camp this summer at Oregon State University (OSU) and our goal is to finish the season at the state playoffs at OSU."

Sisters will play at the Summit Jamboree on Wednesday, November 28. The Outlaws' first game will be at home against Crook County (CC) on Saturday, December 1.

"This will be a great test to see how prepared we are to play our very difficult pre-season," said Horner. "We know that CC always comes ready to play and we are working on preparing for tough competition all throughout our pre-season schedule."