Girls basketball splits on the hardwood

Sisters split their games on the court last week. The Outlaws easily handled the Huskies at Sweet Home with a score of 61-36 on Tuesday, January 15, but three days later suffered a 42-26 home loss to Junction City.

In Tuesday's action, Sisters executed the press well in the first quarter and ran their offense effectively but just could not get their shots to fall. The Outlaws hit only three of their 13 attempts from the field, but on the flipside hit their free throws. At the close of the first period Sisters held a 16-6 lead.

The Outlaws kept at it in the second quarter and by the half had pushed to a solid 27-13 advantage.

Sisters played well in the third quarter with an effective press that forced the Huskies to turn the ball over. At the close of the third the Outlaws held a commanding 44-18 lead.

Every player saw time on the court, and the Outlaws went on to record the win.

Sisters finished with 24 steals in the game, with 12 in the third quarter. Savannah Spear led the team with five steals, followed by Taylor Nieri, Jacobie Petterson, and Cassidy Edwards who each recorded four.

Nieri led the team in scoring with 28 points, followed by Edwards who recorded 11. Spear tallied eight points and Petterson and Claire Henson each contributed four points.

Coach Julianne Horner said, "I was very proud of how the girls came out and never lost their composure when their shots would not fall at the start of the game. They stayed with it and things turned around for them.

"We are getting better and smarter each game we play," added Horner. "I am impressed with the girls' ability to get their jobs done and how hard they are working. Claire Henson has done an outstanding defensive job inside on the posts, and Harley Rowe has become our defensive specialist at the guard position."

At home on Friday, the Outlaws played a strong first quarter and were even with the Tigers at 11-11 at the close of the period.

Sisters was held to just one point from the free-throw line in the second quarter. Junction City added eight points to their score and took a 19-12 lead at the half.

Horner said, "We have struggled to get the ball to fall. We are getting good looks and taking the right shots. We just need them to go in."

The Outlaws had the same trouble in the third quarter. Sisters did go 4/5 from the line but at the close of third trailed the Tigers by 10.

Sisters got into foul trouble in the final period, sent the Tigers to the line 21 times and lost the contest by 16.

"In the third quarter we were playing good defense, but when we can't convert on the offensive side it is really hard to get that energy you need to come into the fourth quarter," stated Horner. "In the fourth, we were trying to get the spacing and stay in the game, but when they get that many opportunities from the free throw line it is hard to get into a rhythm. I am proud of the girls and how they kept working throughout the entire game, never

giving up."

Nieri led the Outlaws with a double-double. Taylor tallied 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, and also recorded three steals in the game. Edwards finished with seven points.

"Taylor did a great job pulling down boards and hitting two threes this game," said Horner.

Sisters is currently 2-1 in league and 12-3 overall. The Outlaws will travel to Elmira on Friday, January 25.