Outlaws boys basketball wrap up week with win

The Outlaws suffered a tough 49-57 loss at Sweet Home on Tuesday, January 15, but bounced back three days later to take down the Junction City Tigers at home in a final score of 42-27.

Sisters dropped their first league game of the season to the Huskies in Tuesday's action.

The Outlaws had a good first quarter and closed out the period on top 14-7. Sisters played well throughout the game but had some mental lapses that cost them down the stretch. The Huskies boasted five players that could shoot at any time, and the Outlaws struggled with a few of the matchups.

Sisters tied it up at the close of the third and went ahead in the fourth. It was a close battle down the stretch, and with 30 seconds left on the clock the Outlaws were down by two.

The Outlaws were forced to foul and the Huskies were able to convert. Sisters came up short and the Huskies recorded the win.

"This was our best night of offensive execution and our defense was for the most part pretty solid," said Coach Rand Runco. "We really played a good game but had some costly turnovers."

Ryan Pollard had a hot hand and tallied 28 points in the game. Pollard also pulled down 10 rebounds for the Outlaws. Cole Moore contributed 10 points in the scoring effort.

Justin Harrer and Lane Adams did a great job on the glass and Ethan Luloff did a tremendous job shutting down one of the Huskies' key players.

Sophomores Tristen Lewis, Ben Larson, and Connor Schaab played some key minutes.

On Friday, the Outlaws rolled to a 42-27 win at home over Junction City, and pushed their league record to 2-1.

Sisters put forth a strong defensive effort and the scoring was spread out between several players. The Outlaws jumped out to an early lead and had to face several defensive changes from the visiting Tigers. Sisters held a 16-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

It was a very low-scoring second quarter, with the Tigers outscoring the Outlaws 6-3. At the half Sisters held onto a slim lead at 19-16.

The Outlaws outscored the Tigers 23-11 in the second half to secure the win.

Runco said, "They started man in a zone and we did well jumping to a lead versus the zone. Then, they went man-to-man and we continued to score consistently. Everyone played well and it was a great team effort."

Cole Moore led the Outlaws with 11 points, followed by Tristen Lewis who scored three buckets from behind the arc for nine points. Moore and Lewis combined for six assists. Justin Harrer tallied eight points and pulled down six boards. Ryan Pollard also logged eight in the offensive

effort.

"We improved from the Sweet Home loss with taking a lead and staying focused and finishing the game," stated Runco. "I was impressed with our team play, great defense and composure."

Eli Harrison, one of the Outlaws' key players, has been out with a serious back injury. It is still undetermined as to when Harrison will be able to return.

The Outlaws will travel to Elmira on Friday, January 25.