Outlaws post win over Sweet Home

The Outlaws beat the Huskies 43-38 on the road at Sweet Home on Friday, February 3. Although the Huskies don't have a lot of tallies in the win column, they played hard and gave the Outlaws a run for their money in their best performance of the season.

Sisters went down early at the start of the first quarter, but stormed back with outstanding offensive execution and beat the Huskies by seven in the first quarter, 16-9. The Huskies outscored the Outlaws nine to six in the second quarter, but the Outlaws held onto the lead and entered the half with a 22-15 advantage.

Sweet Home penetrated early and the Outlaws had trouble containing them. On the flipside, the Huskies didn't have an answer for Ty Horner on the inside and the Head brothers on the glass. Tanner and Tyler's relentless effort on the glass kept the Huskies on their heels. In fact, the Huskies scored only four points from the field in the first half, with their remaining points coming from the stripe.

Coach Rand Runco told The Nugget that every time Sisters pulled to a lead, they would turn it over in the half-court. The Huskies played hard and tested the Outlaws guards, who responded with tough play, answered their aggressiveness, and went right at them.

It was a battle on the hardwood, and the Outlaws controlled the game most of the way. Sweet Home cut the score to one in the final quarter, and Sisters answered with a ball inside to Horner, who put in a great shot. Sisters held on to win by five.

Keegan Greaney had one of his best rebounding and overall games. Greaney played very well on the defensive end and was key in breaking the press and getting the Outlaws into their sets. Several times while under pressure, he was able to break their press and find the right person for an easy bucket.

Horner finished the game with 17 points, and Tanner Head scored nine. Greaney, Tyler Head, Ben Saba, and Jack Berg all pitched in with four points each. Greaney, Saba, and Berg all recorded four rebounds.

"The boys played well against a great environment," said Runco. "The crowd and band were incredibly loud and it was a really fun game to be in."

The win separated the league, with Sisters, Sutherlin, and Cottage Grove all moving forward to a 5-1 record and a three-way tie. The Outlaws were to play at home against Cottage Grove on Tuesday, February 7. On Friday, February 10, the Outlaws will travel for a game at Sutherlin. Both CG and Sutherlin boast efficient and explosive offenses, and games should be a dogfight to the end.

Runco said, "We will need to get stops and scores, and keep the turnovers down and we will be in a great position for post-season play. The boys really play well together and are getting better and better chemistry. Trusting each other and sharing the ball on offense and communicating on the defensive end are our keys."