Lady Outlaws fall to No. 2-ranked Henley

The Outlaws traveled to Henley on Saturday, March 7, for a game against the Hornets in the first round of the state playoffs, and walked away after a 44-33 loss, which brought their season to an end.

Henley jumped out with a three-pointer in the first quarter and kept hitting their shots from there. At the close of the period Sisters was down 16-6.

"We had some playoff jitters," said Coach Julianne Horner. "I was pleased with the effort and execution, but we just needed to relax and clean up a couple of things."

Sisters was out-scored 14-6 in the second quarter and entered the half down 30-12. Horner told The Nugget that Hailey Hudson, Cassandra Arruda, and Cierra Mann all made big buckets for them in the quarter.

The Outlaws came out quick and motivated in the third, led by a quick three-pointer from Boston Moore and aggressive defensive play from Nina Horner and Olivia Stewart. Gwen Knoop came up with three great steals in the period.

"Gwen lifted everyone's defensive effort and intensity several notches and was a great leader by example," said Horner.

Sisters out-scored the Hornets 10-9 in the period, and headed into the final period down 39-22.

The Outlaws scored the first 10 points in the fourth and pulled to within seven points, led by Stewart's six-of-eight shooting from the free-throw line.

"Olivia played like a champion tonight," said Horner. "She put the team on her back and went at the rim hard, drawing fouls time after time, and as usual, she was great at the line.

Sisters was forced to foul down the stretch and the Hornets came out on top with the win.

"This was a tough loss," stated Horner. "I am so incredibly proud of how the team responded in the second half. They never gave up, never quit, and always felt like they had a chance to come back. Seeing the season come to an end is always difficult, but we're proud of what the team did tonight. They held Henley to 44 points, which is tied for the lowest score Henley had this year. I couldn't be prouder of the way everyone stepped up and left everything on the court."