Boys basketball third in league standings

The boys basketball team split their games on the hardwood last week, and currently hold the third-place spot in the Sky-Em League standings.

Sisters lost 55-35 on the road to fifth-ranked Cottage Grove (CG) on Tuesday, February 9, and three days later buckled down and notched a 55-51 home win over the Huskies.

In Tuesday's action, the Outlaws struggled to score in the first half, but played tough enough defense to only trail by eight at the half.

The third quarter proved to be a disaster, as the Outlaws had their worst frame of the season. Sisters got out of their tempo, and tried to shoot quick shots that led to multiple transition points by the Lions. The Outlaws were outscored 30-9 in the period.

In the final quarter, the Outlaws came back and outscored CG 19-8, but it wasn't enough to dig them out of the hold they'd dug in the third quarter.

Keegan Greaney led the Outlaws' scoring effort with 11 points. Hayes Moore contributed eight points, and Jack Berg added eight.

Tyler Head, Scott Waddell, and Isaac Mackenzie all did a great job on the glass, and shared the boards.

"We did not turn the ball over too much, but our defensive transition against their break really hurt us," said Coach Rand Runco. "It was a tough loss, but we knew it was going to be a tough one on the road.

"It was not like us to break on the defensive end, but we did for one quarter. CG has very quick scoring guards and wings, and you really need to score consistently to stay with them."

Three days later, the Outlaws posted a win over the visiting Huskies. It was Pink Night for the home game, and the boys all wore pink shooting shirts to honor the fight against breast cancer.

Sweet Home started out tough. Five different players scored in the first quarter and hit tough shots. Tyler Head and Scott Waddell hit shots that kept the Outlaws close, and at the close of the first quarter the Outlaws trailed by just one, 11-10.

Sisters stayed steady, and everyone contributed in the second quarter. The Outlaws locked down on defense and Sisters outscored the Huskies 12-8, and entered the half up by three.

The Outlaws stayed focused. Five different players scored and a great team effort beat the Huskies 13-9 in the third quarter. Sisters built a seven-point lead as they headed into the final period.

In the fourth, Keegan Greaney poured in 10 of his 18 points, half of the Outlaws' fourth-quarter points.

Greaney led the Outlaws with 18 points, Tyler Head scored 11, Scott Waddell contributed 10, and Steen Johnson added five points.

Tyler Head pulled down six boards, Steen Johnson had four assists, and Hayes Moore had three assists.

Runco told The Nugget that the Outlaws played solid defense, except defending the three-point line. Sisters allowed four open three-point shots, which gave the Huskies a total of five threes, over one-third of their points.

"Other than giving up the three-point line, our defense was impressive for the entire game," said Runco.

The win gave the Outlaws a 4-4 league record. Cottage Grove is the frontrunner with a 7-1 record and the league title. Junction City is 5-3 in second place, and Sisters holds third place. Elmira and Sutherlin are tied for fourth, both with a 3-3 record.

Sisters will wrap up league play next week. The Outlaws were to play at home against Junction City on Tuesday, February 16. On Thursday, February 18, the Outlaws will play at Elmira.

"We need to keep improving and finish strong this next week," said Runco. "Keys are going to be continuing our tough defense, scoring steadily, and limiting turnovers. Our league is very tough from the top to the bottom. It is a really fun year with parity from top to bottom."