Hoopsters struggle against league foes

Sisters boys and girls basketball teams have had a hard time on the hardwood, and have yet to post a league win. The boys team fell 37-53 on the road at Philomath on Tuesday, January 21, and three days later got beat 32-59 at home against Stayton.

In Tuesday’s action, the boys squad started off strong against the No. 1-ranked Warriors with three buckets from behind the arc, two from Nate Weber and one from Connor Linn. The score stayed close, and at the end of the first the Outlaws trailed by just two, 11-13.

Sisters was outscored 7-19 in the second quarter, and at the half were down by 14. The Outlaws kept it even in the second half and only gave up six fourth-quarter points, but couldn’t recover from the first-half deficit.

Sam Nicklous led the Outlaws with 17 points, and Weber and Linn added nine points each. Joe Scholl and Hudson Jones both grabbed some key boards.

“We couldn’t outpace them, and they got the win,” said Coach Rob Jensen. “We are right on the verge and hung in there with one of the best teams in the state. Our last three games have tested us and we have improved with each one. Hopefully, the improvement leads to a result we’re looking for.”

On Friday, Stayton led 17-7 at the end of the first quarter, and were on top 30-12 at the half. Sisters kept battling, but one of the Eagles’ shooters hit five second-half threes to help Stayton post the win.

Weber finished the contest with 13 points, and Max Palanuk added six. Scholl recorded six rebounds.

Jensen said, “We did better on the rebounding front, but couldn’t overcome the lack of Sam (Nicklous), who was out due to injury. We just couldn’t get into an offensive rhythm.”

The boys were to play at Sweet Home on Tuesday, January 28. They will play at home on Friday against Newport.

Sisters girls basketball squad also lost both of their games. The Lady Outlaws were defeated 17-57 by No. 1-ranked Philomath on Tuesday, and on Friday they lost 38-49 to Stayton.

It was a tough night for the Outlaws against Philomath on Tuesday, but Coach Brittaney Brown was pleased with her team’s grit and determination.

“I was really proud of our girls for their continuous determination,” said Brown. “Philomath is a strong team with a lot of different pieces. We’re continuing to focus on our skill development as a team as we continue to be challenged in league. We’re starting to see a variety of players taking on a more offensive mindset in rebounding.”

Brown noted RylieReece Morgan, Josie Patton, Josie Aylor, and Payden Petterson as they continued to battle inside on the boards all night. Petterson was high scorer with six points.

Despite their loss on Friday to Stayton, Brown told The Nugget her girls played one of their best overall games this season.

Petterson hit five three-point shots and finished the night with 19 points. Patton, Petterson, Ellie Rush, and Emma Lutz worked together to get the ball up the court against pressure from the Eagles, which minimized the Outlaws’ turnovers against their press. Freshman Ellie Mayes played aggressive and had her best game of her young high school career and tallied 11 points. The Outlaws were also able to grab a lot of loose balls and caused several turnovers by out-hustling the Eagles.

“The players really gave an all-out effort on the offensive and defensive end,” said Brown. “We were able to knock down a high percentage of threes, and our mid-range shots fell and allowed us to consistently be in a close game. I was so proud of our girls for their effort, and I think their confidence really shined.”

The Lady Outlaws were to play at Sweet Home on Tuesday, January 28. They will face Newport at home on Friday.