Outlaws muzzle the Huskies on senior night

The Outlaws posted a decisive 55-35 victory over the Sweet Home Huskies at home on senior night on Friday, February 17. They fell 41-26 two days earlier at home to Stayton, the undefeated top team in the Oregon West League, and the No. 3-ranked team in the state.

On Friday, prior to the game with the Huskies, the Outlaws honored their seven seniors: Jude Carhart, Brad Eagan, Ryan Waddell, Jack Berg, Zach Anderson, Noah Richards, and Isaiah Chapen.

Coach Rand Runco said, "It was a great celebration of a terrific group of young men. This group of seniors has been very special. They really have worked hard and supported each other and the program. They never speak poorly about teammates or coaches, and really take responsibility for their play and actions. The coaching staff has really enjoyed them. Thanks for a great year and more to come with playoffs."

Jack Berg couldn't miss in the contest against the Huskies, and led the team with 21 points.

The Huskies struck first with a quick three-pointer at the start of the quarter, but Berg answered right back with a three-ball, which was the start of a 7-0 run for the Outlaws. Sweet Home pressed hard and battled to close the gap to three, 13-10 to end the quarter.

Berg nailed two big threes in the second quarter, and scored eight of the Outlaws' 11 points to give Sisters a 24-16 advantage at the half. Jack hit a shot to end the period that gave the Outlaws momentum as teams headed into the half. The Outlaws defense did a great job, clamped down, and held the Huskies to just six points in the quarter.

Sisters widened the gap in the third, and Anderson stepped up his scoring with eight points in the quarter. Berg hit a shot at the buzzer to put the Outlaws up 44-30. Sisters outscored the Huskies 11-5 in the final period and recorded the win.

"The third quarter was our worst defensively, but our best offensively," said Runco. "We stretched out the lead, which allowed us to cruise to a solid win and get everyone in the game. The win was a great team effort. It was a good night to be an Outlaw. Our bench is much improved, with depth improving for playoffs. Their hard work in practice really has helped our key players."

Berg and Anderson both had incredible offensive performances for the Outlaws, Jack with his 21 points, and Anderson with 16, which included going a perfect six-for-six from the line.

Brad Eagan did a terrific job of handling the Huskies' press, and Richards, Anderson, Waddell, and Berg all contributed on the boards. Jude Carhart had some key steals and multiple deflections that helped disrupt Sweet Home's offense.

Two days earlier, it was a different story. The Outlaws faced undefeated Stayton, who boast two very tall, athletic posts, Riley Nichol and Kaleb Anundi, who beat the Outlaws up inside the paint. The Outlaws started off very patient on offense against the Eagles, and really passed the ball, looked for the open man and the open shot. Anderson hit a shot in the last minute of the first period to tie it up 11-11, but Stayton managed to get another bucket to take a 13-11 lead.

Sisters tied it back up at the start of the second at 13-13, but from that point on they couldn't get their shots to fall, despite good looks and the good opportunities they created. At the half, they trailed 15-23.

It was a tough second half for Sisters. They were outscored 18-11, and lost by 15.

Sisters was to play at Philomath on Monday, February 18, in a game which was canceled earlier due to inclement weather conditions.