Lady Outlaws defeat Elmira in final home game of season

The Outlaws earned a big 50-38 victory over Elmira at home on Tuesday, February 17, but then were dismantled by Sutherlin three days later in a final score of 48-18.

In Tuesday's action, the Outlaws tallied a sweet victory over Elmira in their final home game of league play. Prior to the game, seniors Boston Moore, Haylie Hudson, Cierra Mann, Gwen Knoop, Cassandra Arruda and Ashley Smith were honored.

Elmira held Sisters scoreless for the first three minutes of the contest, and then the Outlaws found their rhythm and moved the ball well. Olivia Stewart scored six of Sisters' 10 first-quarter points, and Ashley Smith grabbed some great defensive rebounds underneath. At the end of the quarter, the Outlaws held a 10-8 advantage.

Early in the second period, Mann hit a nice three-pointer to give the Outlaws a 13-10 lead. Horner did a great job of carrying and distributing the ball and reading the Falcons' defense. Nina hit two three-pointers, which put pressure on Elmira and helped extend the Outlaws' lead to 20-17 as the teams headed into the half.

Hudson scored six points for the Outlaws in the last two minutes of the third, which kept the Outlaws on top 33-27.

Most of the final period was spent at the free-throw line. Sisters scored 10 of their 17 points from the stripe. With just over a minute left on the clock, Bethany Bachmeier was sent to the line four times, and hit five of her eight attempts.

Sisters went 10/24 from the free-throw line in the fourth and Elmira hit seven of eight attempts. Overall, the Outlaws went 18/36 from the line and the Falcons were 14/20.

Coach Julianne Horner was pleased with her players and their performances.

"Haylie (Hudson) and Cierra (Mann) were ready to work underneath, and they sure did their job," said Horner. "Elmira has a very good player underneath, and both Cierra and Haylie shut her down. She scored only eight points, and her average is 15. Boston (Moore), Cassandra (Arruda), and Gwen (Knoop) were able to get some good looks at the basket, and Gwen played great defense that helped to shut down Elmira's outside game.

"Boston did a great job reading the defense and getting the ball to the open person.

"Gwen did a great job defending the guards, and forced Elmira's guards to rush their passing, to either cause a turnover, or not get good looks inside to their posts. It was the best defensive job from the guards all season."

Stewart had her best defensive performance of the season.

"Olivia played her best defense yet, and was able to get good looks at the basket," said Horner. "Olivia has a nose for the ball, and seems to pick up many offensive rebounds for second-shot opportunities.

"It was a great win with everyone contributing their talents," added Horner. "I'm very happy to see the team playing to their potential as we close out league."

Stewart led the Outlaws' scoring effort with 13 points, and Horner scored 12. Moore contributed nine points and Hudson added eight.

Mann and Dallas Knoop recorded eight rebounds each.

Three days later, it was a completely different story. The Outlaws just could not contain the No. 1 ranked Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Outlaws were unable to handle the pressure that the Bulldogs put on their guards, and just could not set up their offense. Sutherlin got in a groove, and Sisters couldn't stop them.

Sisters finished league in fourth place and will travel for a post-season game, but were not to know the details until midnight on Tuesday, February 24.