Boys basketball plagued with injuries

Injuries and ineligibility have taken their toll on the boys' basketball team. This past week the Outlaws dropped to just two seniors in their line-up compared to six that they started with. Sisters lost both their games; a 49-36 loss at home to Sweet Home (SH) on Tuesday, February 5, and a 39-31 loss to the Tigers at Junction City (JC) three days later.

In Tuesday's game against SH the Outlaws had the lead in the first quarter, but when the buzzer sounded to end the period the Huskies had tied it up at 11-11.

The score stayed tight the second quarter until the very end, when Sisters gave up a long three-pointer. The Outlaws entered the half down by three with a score of 25-22.

Sweet Home has several players that shoot the ball well, and they got away from the Outlaws in the third quarter.

"We tried to match them too quickly and forced several shots, allowing them to get into a frenetic pace for a few minutes that made it difficult for us to keep track of their shooters," said Coach Rand Runco.

The Outlaws got their game back under control in the fourth quarter and held the Huskies to just four points while putting up 10 of their own. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to undo the damage done in the third quarter, and Sisters lost by 13.

Tristen Lewis had 10 points in the game, including two threes. Justin Harrer also tallied 10 points for the Outlaws.

Runco noted Ethan Luloff and Cole Moore.

"Ethan played a great defensive game on their point guard, and Cole did an outstanding defensive job on Sweet Home's leading scorer," stated Runco. "Cole defended a player that has the state scoring record in one game this year (48 points) and held him to just 11 points."

Runco also stated that Tysen Gill and Land Adams did a nice job on defense.

"We improved in many areas but just had one bad quarter," said Runco. "That was the difference in the game. I am so proud of all of our program and how they have stepped into big roles and are improving every game. We now have four sophomores playing big minutes and competing very well. Our defense is excellent. We are just shooting poorly."

The past three games the Outlaws have shot under 30 percent from the field.

Three days later Sisters fell to the Tigers at Junction City in a similar game. The Outlaws again played great defense, but only shot 29 percent from the field. Sisters was only 3/7 from the line while JC went 17/25.

"It was a tough game but the guys played incredibly hard," said Runco. "They were on the edge of taking the lead until the last few seconds when we had to foul."

Harrer led the Outlaws with 10 points and six boards. Moore scored six points and had five steals and Luloff, Lewis, Gill and Adams all did an excellent job on the defensive end.

"We keep having new players really step up and we are still improving," said Runco. "We are asking big roles from the young players and it is going to pay off down the road."

The Outlaws will face Elmira at home on Friday, February 15, in the last game of league play.