Outlaws lose on the hardwood

The Outlaws lost 39-21 to the Indians at Molalla on Friday, January 4.

Sisters just couldn't hit the bucket and missed shot after shot. On the flipside, they had a strong defensive performance.

Sisters held a 10-5 lead at the close of the first quarter and scored a bucket at the start of the second period to go up 12-5. However, the Outlaws' offense went cold from there and they were held scoreless the remainder of the second quarter and trailed the Indians 16-12 at the half.

The Outlaws continued to struggle offensively in the second half and were outscored 23-9.

Sisters finished the game 9/39 from the field and 2/7 from the free-throw line.

Ryan Pollard led the offense with seven points and Cole Moore added six. Moore also had four steals and pulled down several rebounds for the Outlaws.

Coach Rand Runco noted that Mitch Keranen and Lane Adams did a great job defending Molalla's six-foot-seven-inch post, and Isaac Jackson did a tremendous job on the boards.

Ethan Luloff had an outstanding defensive performance and shut down one of Molalla's key scorers. Pollard and Moore held the Indians' top scorer to 12 points.

Runco added, "Cole (Moore) was very composed and played the entire game with only one turnover."

Despite the loss, Coach Runco was pleased with his team's effort.

"I am really proud of the kids' effort," he said. "We turned Molalla over and held our own on the glass but just could not put the ball in the hole. I think we were trying so hard we just hurried shots a bit. We did everything right to be in a great position but could not score in the second and fourth quarters."

The Outlaws will open league play at home against La Pine on Friday, January 11. The following Tuesday, January 15, the Outlaws will play at Sweet Home.