Boys hoops split games

The Outlaws came from behind to record a 41-37 victory at Madras on Tuesday, December 8. Three days later, Sisters was scheduled to play at home against 5A Lebanon, but the game was canceled due to snow on the pass. At the last minute, a game with Bend High was scheduled at home in Sisters. The very competitive game had several lead changes, and great shots in the final minutes, but ultimately resulted in a 49-47 loss for the Outlaws.

In Tuesday's action at Madras, the Outlaws got down early. The White Buffaloes hit several threes, and at the close of the first period, Sisters trailed 15-6. The defensive end held during the second quarter, and Sisters outscored the Buffaloes 11-2 to catch them at the half and tie it up 17-17.

Coach Rand Runco told The Nugget that the Outlaws stuck together and continued to play hard, even though they struggled offensively.

The Outlaws hit their freethrows down the stretch, pulled ahead in the final quarter, and outscored Madras 15-9. The come-from-behind victory was a great second road win for the Outlaws.

Scott Waddell led the team with 12 points. Hayes Moore tallied nine and Keegan Greaney put up seven. Steen Johnson recorded six points and Tyler Head added five.

Sisters cleaned up some early rebounding issues, and finished strong on the boards. Johnson had a huge night with nine boards.

Jake Larson, Ben Saba, and Connor Lake played great minutes off the bench, and Larson had a few huge rebounds to help the Outlaws hang on for the win.

Three days later, the Outlaws and the Lava Bears matched up in what proved to be a very competitive game.

Sisters had several open threes to start the game, but struggled, and couldn't connect. In the second quarter, Steen Johnson had a nice drive down the middle that put the Outlaws up by one. The Outlaws took a 16-6 lead in the second, but unfortunately Greaney picked up his second foul and had to sit out the remainder of the period. Sisters entered the half up by one with a score of 16-15.

It was a tight game in the second half, and both teams worked very hard to push their lead.

"Bend used several defenses that we slowly adapted to, but it slowed down our offensive efforts," said Runco. "We got them in foul trouble, and worked to spread them out to get to the rim and give us space to break their trap. It worked, but each time we started to get a lead, an untimely turn-over would stop our momentum."

Bend outscored the Outlaws by just three points in the third, and the final quarter was a fight to the finish.

The Outlaws finally built a five-point lead with 1:19 left on the clock, but then started to struggle. Sisters turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions, and fouled the Lava Bears twice to give up the lead.

With 12 seconds left on the clock, Tyler Head made a great baseline move for a bucket that put the Outlaws up by one. The home crowd went wild. During transition, Bend's Mario Mora hit a deep three to give the Lava Bears a two-point lead.

Sisters was able to call a time-out and set up a play with four seconds left in the game. Hayes Moore took a shot over half court that went in, took a spin around the rim, and came out, and Bend recorded the win.

Johnson led the Outlaws with 14 points, and Moore had nine. Greaney and Tyler Head scored six points each, and Waddell and Saba added five points each. Waddell and Head were both tough on the glass.

Bend's Boston Busik had six points in the final quarter and was four-for-four from the line, which really helped Bend at the finish.

"Bend got really physical in the last minute, and their six-foot-four-inch post, Trent Findley, really hurt us on the glass in the last few minutes," said Runco. "We really controlled much of the game, but struggled getting back in transition, and lost our composure a little in the last minute. I was proud of the boys' teamwork and effort."

Sisters was to play at home against La Pine on Tuesday, December 15. The Outlaws will play in the Seaside Invitational Thursday, December 17, through Saturday, December 19.