Boys basketball rolls over Madras

Sisters posted a 45-37 win over Madras on Tuesday, December 9, but then fell 50-37 to Lebanon three days later.

Madras was a big win for the Outlaws. The White Buffaloes are a talented team that can score in bunches, and it was a huge accomplishment for the Outlaws to hold them to just 37 points in the game.

Sisters got off to a slow start, missed many good looks at the basket and trailed Madras 9-3 at the close of the first quarter. At the half Madras still held a 18-12 lead.

Coach Rand Runco told The Nugget that at the half coaches told players to relax, have fun, and they would score. Players must have listened to the advice. The Outlaws out-scored the White Buffs 33-17 in the second half. Steen Johnson sparked the offense and had eight points in the half.

Runco said, "It was a great team effort. We played with intensity and focus the entire game."

Keegan Greaney attacked the basket for the Outlaws and was the leading scorer with 11 points. Hayes Moore spend most of his time at point guard and recorded eight points in the game.

Connor Schaab and Tysen Gill did a great job on the glass. Gill finished with seven rebounds and seven points. Schaab added six boards and six points.

Ben Larson and Greaney did a good job defending Madras' all-conference guard, Jered Pichette. Isaac Mackenzie came off the bench and contributed some quality defensive minutes.

Logan Schutte played great defense on some of Madras' key players and went three-for-four from the line.

"It was a great team effort," said Runco. "We trailed most of the game, caught them in the third, and never gave up the lead again."

Three days later, Sisters faced Lebanon, a big school with a big team.

The Outlaws' game plan was to limit Lebanon's point guard touches and really compete on the glass. Sisters was down by five or six points for most of the game, but refused to go away.

Sisters played extremely hard, made their move, and pulled to within three with three minutes left on the clock. The Outlaws had a chance but turned the ball over at critical times down the stretch.

"We had a real shot to knock off the big school if we hadn't turned the ball over," said Runco. "It was a great game and very intense. The guys really stepped up, and we made a lot of improvements."

Schaab really hurt Lebanon on the defensive and offensive glass with 11 boards in the game. Gill, Mackenzie, and Lane Gladden also did a fantastic job on the glass for the Outlaws. Sisters only gave up five offensive boards to Lebanon's big guys.

Greaney and Larson scored nine points each for the Outlaws, and Johnson added seven.

Of Larson, Runco said, "Ben went to the hole with confidence and kept the Lebanon defense on its heels."

Sisters was to play at La Pine on Tuesday, December 16. The Outlaws will travel to the Seaside Invitational Thursday through Saturday, December 18-20.