Girls basketball defeats Crook County

Sisters defeated Crook County (CC) 46-43 in their first game of the season on Friday, December 5. The Outlaws came out strong on defense and took control of the game from tip-off to the end.

Dallas Knoop won the toss at the start of the contest, and Cassandra Arruda passed it to Haylie Hudson who scored the first bucket of the game. It was a low-scoring first quarter, and although the Outlaws trailed 7-5 at the close of the period they controlled the pace of the game.

Coach Julianne Horner said, "I was very proud of the team from the beginning. They took control of the game, and pushed the offensive tempo to get eight attempts from the free-throw line in the first quarter.

Boston Moore and Gwen Knoop were the stars of the second quarter. Moore lit up the scoring with a three-pointer and three two-point shots, and Knoop followed with two easy buckets. Boston hit shots from the outside, and Gwen got to rim. Dallas Knoop and Olivia Stewart were able to get second-shot put-back-buckets, and at the close of the second it was clear Sisters was ready to play. At the half the Outlaws held a 22-13 advantage.

The Cowgirls came out strong in the third, but Sisters answered with two three-points shots from Moore.

Kimmer Severance of CC scored 12 of the Cowgirls' 14 third-quarter points. The Cowgirls scored big in the third quarter but Sisters kept fighting to get to the rim and put CC in foul trouble as teams headed into the final quarter with the Outlaws on top 33-27.

The fourth quarter was a battle, but Sisters never lost their desire to prevail, and even with the score tied, Haylie Hudson was able to get two under-the-hoop buckets to put Sisters on top.

Knoop also got a quick baseline-shot that put the Outlaws up, and Sisters won by three.

Moore hit three threes in the game and finished with 18 points. Knoop scored 10 points and Hudson added nine.

"I was proud of the team play and determination the girls showed down to the end of the game," said Horner. "They played as a team and were able to find the open player when we needed it. We weren't able to make our free throws so that was what made the game so tight. The girls were working hard and making good choices, but just could not get the ball to fall from the free-throw line.

"Defense was the key for the last minute of the game. We were able to deny Severance easy shots at the end, and she missed her last three attempts that kept the Cowgirls at bay. I was proud of the composure and presence the girls showed so early in the season. At the end of the game they showed great leadership and teamwork that ultimately led them to the win."

The Outlaws were to play at Madras on Tuesday, December 9. Sisters will play at Summit on Friday, December 12. Games are set to begin at 7 p.m.