Girls basketball wraps up season on the road

The Lady Outlaws wrapped up their season with a 52-29 loss at Elmira on Friday, February 17. Three days earlier they suffered a 41-32 loss to Junction City at home in Sisters.

The squad finished league with a 2-8 record and were 6-15 overall.

Prior to Tuesday's final home game of the year, the Outlaws honored their two senior players, Amanda Smith and Hogan Hernandez. It was also Pink Out Night, and teams wore pink in support of cancer awareness. Half of the gate receipts were donated locally and will help to screen individuals in Central Oregon.

Coach Alan Von Stein noted his senior players: "Amanda and Hogan have both been wonderful leaders for the younger girls this season. We know that they will both be very successful as they enter their next phases of life."

Sisters stayed right with the Tigers at the start of the game and only trailed by two, 10-8, at the close of the first quarter. At the half, Junction City had extended their lead to eight, 20-12.

The third quarter was low-scoring for both squads, but Sisters edged out the Tigers 6-2. JC held off the Outlaws in the fourth and closed out the game with a win.

Smith had an outstanding performance, and posted her second double-double of the season. Amanda scored 17 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in the contest.

Rylee Weber and Alexa Stewart each scored six points.

"It was a very exciting game with intensity by both teams," said Von Stein. "Turnovers were the major deciding factor of the game as Sisters had 13 in the first half."

Three days later, the Outlaws lost a tough final game at Elmira. Sisters shooting percentage improved over the last two games, but turnovers were again an issue. The Outlaws shot 38 percent from the field, but committed 28 turnovers.

Smith led the team with nine points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Stewart scored eight points, and Sydney Head contributed six points and six boards. Kaylee Huber added five points.

Senior Amanda Smith commented on the season.

"As a team we are very cohesive, both on and off the court, which makes us special," said Smith. "As friends and teammates, we have each others' backs. The season was difficult because we didn't get as many wins as we thought we would, but it was memorable because of how we were able to come together and play our hardest at the end. We couldn't have done this without the support of our coaches, family and friends."

The young Outlaws squad (only two seniors and one junior) had a rough season, and didn't put many wins in the record book, but they gained experience and improved their skills over the course of the season, and will build on that for next year.

"I am the third coach in three years, and therefore it has been difficult for the girls to have any continuity," said Von Stein. "In general, team fundamentals need to improve over the summer in order to decrease turnovers and increase confidence. The girls will need to put not only team time in this summer, but also work on a lot of individual skills. They're excited to work toward establishing a more cohesive program. We will also be working with interested parents this summer in order to rekindle the youth program so that we are building from the ground up."