Lady Outlaws drop two on the hardwood

The Lady Outlaws dropped their final two games of the pre-season; a 51-66 loss at Klamath Union (KU) on Saturday, January 4, and a 26-59 loss at home to Madras three days later.

Sisters battled hard in their contest against KU in Tuesday’s match-up, and the game marked the first time that the Lady Outlaws basketball team has scored 51 points since 2015 season.

Three girls scored in double-digits including Emma Lutz, who led the team with 15 points, and Josie Patton and Ellie Rush followed with 10 points each. Hallie Schwartz added nine points in the Outlaws scoring effort.

“We were very pleased with the offensive production from our team as a whole,” said Coach Brittaney Brown. “Throughout the course of the year we have been working very hard on offensive skills at practice and we are hoping what occurred tonight will carry throughout the rest of our season.”

Three days later, the Outlaws suffered a big loss at home against a tough, sharp-shooting Madras squad. Sisters got good looks at the basket, but just couldn’t get their shots to fall. At the half they trailed 14-31. Sisters continued to struggle to get points on the scoreboard in the second half and lost by 33.

RylieReese Morgan led the Outlaws with seven points, and Josie Aylor and freshman Ashlynn Moffatt each added four.

The Outlaws have had to make adjustments due to numerous players out due to injury: Payden Petterson is out with a concussion, Gracen Sundstrom with an ankle injury, Oly Thorson with a knee injury, and Josie Patton has been sick. Hopefully, players will make a quick recovery and be able to play next week.

“Despite the fact that we couldn’t get the ball to fall, the girls continued to play hard and compete throughout the entirety of the game,” said Brown. “Truly, that is all we can ask as coaches when we reflect on each of our games, especially with the variety of injuries we currently have...”

Sisters was to play at Cascade on Tuesday, January 14. They will play at home against Woodburn on Friday. The Outlaws were scheduled to open league play with a home game against Newport on Friday, January 10, but Newport decided not to travel in adverse weather; the game will be rescheduled.