Outlaws struggle against Woodburn

The Lady Outlaws fell 31-58 to Woodburn at home on Friday, January 17, and the next day fell 29-46 to Cascade in a game that was canceled earlier in the week and rescheduled for Saturday.

Sisters started off strong against the visiting Bulldogs in Friday’s contest, and at the close of the first quarter held a 10-7 lead. The Lady Outlaws’ final score of the quarter came when Josie Patton passed the ball to Payden Petterson who hit a deep two-pointer at the buzzer.

Woodburn opened the second quarter with a three to lock it up at 10-10 and kept adding points to the scoreboard the entire quarter. The Outlaws had opportunity to score but their shots wouldn’t fall. Untimely turnovers and their lack of getting back on defense also hurt them in the second period. Finally, with 35 seconds left on the clock, Emma Lutz scored Sisters’ first points of the quarter on a three-point shot. The Bulldogs came right back with a three of their own and the Outlaws found themselves in a hole at the half; down by 12 with the score at 13-25.

Sisters put 10 points on the scoreboard in the third quarter. Highlights were a three by Ellie Rush and a nice shot underneath by Gracen Sundstrom to end the period. Sisters was outscored 14-7 in the fourth and the Bulldogs recorded the win.

Petterson led the Outlaws with nine points. Patton scored five and RylieReese Morgan added four.

“We had a difficult time after the first quarter,” said Coach Brittaney Brown. “We got a lot of good looks, but had a hard time converting those open looks. We were happy with the girls and their efforts to keep shooting and to keep their confidence high. Woodburn’s sharp-shooting team caused us difficulty on the defensive end. Despite the score, the girls continued to play hard and battled the entire game.”

Although the Outlaws lost their game against Cascade on Saturday, Brown told The Nugget she felt that the game was one of the Outlaws’ best games they’ve played all year. The Cougars boasted a well-rounded team that had the ability to score on a consistent basis, both inside the key and from the perimeter.

Lutz led the Outlaws with 12 points, Petterson contributed eight, Patton tallied four and Morgan and Schwartz added two points each.

“We played with high energy and competitive spirit the entire game,” said Brown.

Sisters was scheduled to play at Philomath on Tuesday, January 21. They will host Stayton at home three days later.