Outlaws finish third in league

The Outlaws posted a 48-38 win over Elmira at home on Tuesday, February 17, and three days later, Sisters lost 42-37, in a battle for the league title against No. 1 ranked Sutherlin.

On Tuesday, the Outlaws honored the five seniors on their squad: Ben Larson, Connor Schaab, Tysen Gill, Justin Harrer and Lane Gladden. Prior to the game, players escorted their parents onto the floor and presented them with flowers.

It was a quiet start for both teams, but Keegan Greaney finally got the Outlaws started when he was fouled on a three-point attempt. Greaney made two of the shots and Sisters was on the scoreboard. Justin Harrer made a bucket midway through the quarter, and Tysen Gill drilled both his free-throws to wrap up the first-period scoring and put the Outlaws on top 6-2.

Sisters' excellent offense was a big factor in the Outlaws' 14 second-quarter points. An early three-pointer from Greaney, followed by a reverse lay-in midway through the period, and a deep nothing-but-net three-pointer from Hayes Moore with 12 seconds left on the clock highlighted the quarter. At the half, the Outlaws held a 20-10 lead. Sisters held onto the lead and went on to win by 10 points.

"We were unselfish and really worked as a team," said Coach Rand Runco. "We are so proud of the boys for their effort and bounce-back after a tough game at Junction City."

Greaney finished the game with 11 points, Moore tallied nine, Harrer recorded eight, and seven other players contributed in the scoring effort.

Gill and Schaab's post-defense was excellent and really shut down the Falcons' posts.

Three days later, the Outlaws battled for the league title against Sutherlin. The win would have resulted in a three-way tie for first, but the Outlaws lost and fell to a third-place league finish.

Sisters got off to a rough start, and a few tough calls early in the contest put the Outlaws' posts, Harrer and Gill, on the bench. Sisters didn't quit, but worked hard and continued to close the gap. Harrer had a huge dunk with a great assist from Moore and cut the Bulldog lead to three late in the fourth. The Outlaws got a steal and had a good attempt to cut it to one, but missed and the Bulldogs came down to score.

Runco told The Nugget that the game was far from over, but a few untimely turnovers at the wrong moments cut their run.

Moore hit two big threes in the quarter that got the Outlaws within striking distance, but the Outlaws just kept shooting themselves in the foot, which ultimately led to the loss.

Sutherlin played a great game, and both teams gave it their all.

Schaab had a huge game for the Outlaws and finished with a double-double. Connor put up 13 points for the Outlaws and pulled down 12 rebounds. Harrer recorded eight points and had three rebounds, and Moore hit two threes for six points.

"We learned a lot and are still alive in the playoffs," said Runco. "We are waiting to see who we will play in the play-in round."

Sisters finished league with a 7-3 record.