Lady Outlaws took some wear and tear in Holiday Tournament

The Lady Outlaws were exhausted after they completed four games at the Sisters Holiday Tournament, held Monday through Wednesday, December 29-31. After a team dropped out of the tourney the Outlaws had to play both sides of the bracket and play four games in two days.

Top-ranked Henley dominated play throughout the tourney and was crowned tournament champion. The Hornets boast a great point guard and a big, strong post, and the team is very fast in transition; they make over 70 percent of their points on transitions.

Seaside finished runner-up, and La Grande took third. Sisters placed twice - fifth and sixth - as they played both sides of the bracket.

Coach Julianne Horner said, "As a coach, playing both sides of the bracket is a very difficult position to put your team in. I knew the final game would be very difficult and physically grueling. I am very proud of the team and how hard they worked. We saw what we are made of. The player that really stood out was junior Olivia Stewart. She was tenacious until the final second on the clock and kept her team motivated until the end. This experience will help us as we begin a difficult league schedule."

Sisters started with a 51-33 victory over Illinois Valley (IV).

The Outlaws jumped out quick, put 12 points up on the scoreboard in the first four minutes of the contest, and limited IV to just one basket. At the close of the quarter Sisters held a 16-6 lead.

Sisters continued to control the pace of the game and held onto the lead to the very end to secure the win.

Stewart led the team with 15 points, Boston Moore contributed nine, Cierra Mann tallied eight and Nina Horner added six.

Horner said, "I was very happy with our intensity on defense and patience on offense in the first few minutes of the game. We were able to take control right from the tip and then move the ball offensively to where we had an easy shot.

"In the second quarter, we decided to run a defense that we have not been comfortable running much, but know we will need it as we head into league. I am impressed with how well they moved into a defense that as a team they are not strong in yet. We were able to adjust and make the changes we will need going into our league play."

Sisters' next match-up was against No. 2 ranked Henley and the Outlaws suffered a brutal 68-28 loss.

The Hornets took control from the tip-off with quick transitions and very good full-court pressure that put Sisters in the deficit immediately.

"We have never faced a team that has a solid game both inside and out. They were able to shoot outside and they have posts that were much bigger than us that gave them second shots off offensive rebounds.

"We settled in in the second quarter and were playing well, but gave up too many transition buckets that kept us out of contention. Overall, this was a great game for us to see what pace we need to get up to."

Mann put up seven points for the Outlaws and Moore and Hailey Hudson each added six.

Sisters went on to face Laâ¯Grande and lost the contest 64-38.

The Outlaws started off well, went bucket-to-bucket with Laâ¯Grande in the first quarter, and had five players score points in the period.

"We were playing very well as a team, and were looking and reading the floor well," said Horner. "We were active both inside and out, and it was one of the best starts we have had all season."

Sisters put Laâ¯Grande on the line seven times in the second quarter, and allowed them three three-pointers. The Outlaws did get some good looks at the basket but couldn't get their shots to fall. Laâ¯Grande monopolized on a few Sisters errors, and at the half were up by 13 with the score at 34-21.

Horner told The Nugget that the Outlaws showed the fatigue of playing a third game in two days and went flat in the third quarter.

Haylie Hudson had a great fourth quarter for the Outlaws and scored three baskets and went three-for-six from the line.

"Haylie played the best quarter of this year and took charge of energizing the team," said Horner. "Haylie showed great leadership and play in the fourth quarter and pushed the tempo back to Sisters style."

Hudson finished with nine points, Horner scored eight, and Stewart and Mann added six.

The Outlaws lost 46-30 to Banks in their final game of the tourney.

Sisters came out strong in the first half of the contest. The Outlaws were able to keep the pressure on and forced Banks to turn the ball over eight times. At the half, the score was tied 19-19.

"We knew this would be tough and I was proud of how well the girls were playing and moving the ball around to get easy buckets," said Horner.

At the start of the third period, fatigue set in. The Outlaws hit the front of the rim on their shots and let Banks' inside player score three big buckets underneath that gave them the lead.

In the fourth, the Outlaws put Banks on the line. Banks hit seven of their eight attempts, which ultimately gave them the win. The Outlaws were outscored 27-11 in the half.

Ashley Smith finished the game with six points, and Hudson and Mann each added five.

"I am proud of the girls," said Horner. "They worked hard, they made adjustments, and I believe this experience will help us as we face tough games throughout league play."

The Lady Outlaws were to play at home against North Marion on Tuesday, January 6. Sisters will play at home against Redmond on Friday, January 9.