Lady Outlaws take first loss of season

The Lady Outlaws tallied two wins this past week to log their sixth straight victory in pre-season play. They then fell to Mazama at the Gladstone Holiday Classic on Saturday, December 16, for their first loss of the season.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, December 11, Sisters defeated the White Buffaloes 45-35 in overtime at Madras. On Friday, the Outlaws defeated Gladstone 39-32 in their first game at the Gladstone Tournament.

In Tuesday's action against Madras, the White Buff's Mariah Stacona stole the ball twice in the first two possessions for two quick lay-ups and Madras took a quick 4-0 lead. Sisters struggled to get shots to fall in the first half of the contest but played great defense and slowed Madras down to keep the score close. At the half the Outlaws trailed the White Buff's 16-14.

Sisters continued to struggle to get the ball in the hoop at the start of the third quarter but were able to contain Stacona.

"In the first minute of the fourth I knew we needed to stop and just shoot in our comfort zone," said Coach Julianne Horner.

The Outlaws battled and tied it up to send the game into overtime. Stacona fouled out in the four minute overtime and Sisters converted their shots from the field and won the game by 10.

Taylor Nieri led the Outlaws with 17 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and two assists. Cassidy Edwards tallied eight points and eight rebounds. Jacobie Petterson recorded seven points, Claire Henson logged six points and Savannah Spear added five.

"Jacobie (Petterson), Savannah (Spear), and Cassidy (Edwards) did a great job on full court pressure causing Madras to turn over the ball, and we were able to score six quick points in a row on layups," said Horner. "We felt we did a good job the last six minutes of the game and took care of the ball. It is always tough to play Madras in Madras. That was our first win against Madras in three seasons."

Three days later the Outlaws defeated Gladstone 39-32 in their first game at the Gladstone Invitational.

Sisters came out strong in the first half, put pressure on the ball and the ball handlers and took Gladstone out of their game. At the end of the first quarter Sisters had taken a decisive lead in tempo and it showed on the scoreboard with Sisters on top 22-12.

"Our shots were still not falling as we were at 30 percent, but our effort was 100 percent and that is why we led," said Horner.

Gladstone kicked it into gear at the start of the second half and caught the Outlaws off guard. Sisters hit their shots at the line and kept the lead. The Outlaws hit 16 of their 22 attempts at the line while Gladstone was 2/4.

Nieri led the Outlaws in scoring with 22 points. Taylor pulled down 12 boards, had four steals and dished out two assists. Nieri was also 11/13 from the free-throw line. Edwards followed with 12 points, six rebounds and eight steals.

"We played a clean, strong game and were able to make our free throws," said Horner. "We just need to be able to convert more from the field."

The Outlaws faced their most difficult challenge of the season in their game against Mazama the following day. The Vikings were strong and fast and took advantage of every mistake Sisters made.

The Outlaws were on the defensive from the tip-off, had a hard time getting good looks at the basket and were down 16-9 at the close of the first quarter.

"We were a little struck with how physical they were and how they could transition the ball down the floor," said Horner.

The Vikings got four easy layups in the second quarter, and at the half the Outlaws trailed 35-16.

Cassidy Edwards picked up her fourth foul in the third and the Outlaws had to make some changes. The Vikings were able to score easy buckets until Sisters got five strong players on the

floor.

"Savannah (Spear) ran the floor, Taylor (Nieri) carried the ball, Jacobie (Petterson) slipped to the hoop, Harly (Rowe) got ready for set shots and Claire (Henson) battled underneath. I was very proud of how strong we came on in the fourth and we stopped letting them push us around," stated Horner. "We were able to handle the ball."

Horner added, "I was impressed with the team for working so hard and never giving up. I believe we will learn from this game and my hope is that we can become more physical."

Spear led the team in scoring with 14 points, 10 of which came in the final period. Nieri finished the night with a double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Edwards logged 10 points and Petterson added six. Rowe and Henson each contributed two points and three rebounds.

Sisters will face the Dalles Wahtonka at home on Thursday, December 20, and the following week will play at home in the annual Sisters Holiday Tournament which will be held Thursday through Saturday, December 27-29.