Lady Outlaws open league with win over La Pine

Sisters opened league play with a 56-36 win over La Pine at home on Friday, January 11.

The Hawks came ready to play and jumped to a 6-1 advantage over the Outlaws in the first four minutes of the contest. Sisters battled back and at the close of the first quarter had tied it up at 11-11.

Taylor Nieri and Savannah Spear took charge of the game in the second quarter and took the Outlaws on a 22-4 run. Nieri made a three-pointer, an easy lay-up, and also went 4/4 from the line. Spear made two power lay-ups and was 2/2 from the line. Claire Henson shut down the Hawks' post and pulled down four offensive boards which she kicked out to her teammates.

The Outlaws completely shut down La Pine in the second quarter, and at the half the Outlaws were on top 33-15.

Sisters went 8/12 from the line in the third quarter. Boston Moore scored Sisters' lone field goal in the period. The tempo really changed as the game was interrupted many times due to fouls. The Hawks outscored the Outlaws by a slim 12-10 margin in the third but Sisters held onto the lead at 43-27.

Shots fell for the Outlaws in the final period and Sisters recorded the win.

Taylor Nieri tallied 17 points for the Outlaws and also had six rebounds and three steals in the game. Cassidy Edwards recorded 11 points, three rebounds and three steals. Savannah Spear finished with nine points, three rebounds and four assists.

Claire Henson scored six points and pulled down five boards, and according to Coach Julianne Horner had her best defensive game so far this season. Jacobie Petterson contributed five points and Ellie Ricker added four.

"I was very proud of the team," stated Horner. "We were able to have everyone have good minutes and everyone shined. We'd been working hard preparing for league, and this was a great way to open up into league play."

Three days earlier the Lady Outlaws clipped the Stayton Eagles 62-40 to wrap up pre-season play.

Sisters had trouble getting the ball to fall in the first half. The Outlaws got good looks at the basket and were getting to the hoop, but just couldn't get the ball through the net. At the half the game was deadlocked 25-25.

The Outlaws came out strong in the third period and put 22 points on the scoreboard and held the Eagles to just three points in the quarter. In the final period the entire squad got court time, stayed solid and sealed the win.

Edwards led the team in scoring with 22 points. Cassidy also pulled down seven rebounds and had six steals in the game.

Nieri tallied 17 points, had nine boards, four assists and three steals. Spear recorded 11 points, three rebounds and three steals. Petterson and Cierra Mann each contributed four points in the scoring effort. Claire Henson also scored four points and had four rebounds for the Outlaws.

"I was proud of how they let the first half wash off their backs and get it done in the third," said Horner. "We're very happy with this team. They are playing well together and are able to make corrections on the court."

The Outlaws finished the pre-season with a 10-2 record, a record Horner felt was the best pre-season ever for Sisters High School girls basketball. Sisters is now 1-0 in league and 11-2 overall.

The Outlaws will travel to Junction City on Friday, January 18, and the following Tuesday play at home against Cottage Grove.