Girls basketball suffers losses

The Lady Outlaws had another rough week on the hardwood: a 43-21 loss at home to Pleasant Hill on Wednesday, January 18, and a 45-29 loss to Creswell at home on Friday.

In Tuesday’s game at home against Pleasant Hill (PH), the game was decided in the first quarter. Sisters got down 0-16 in the first period and never recovered. The Lady Outlaws got off to a slow start, and when they did get some good open shots they couldn’t get them to fall. They also turned the ball over numerous times.

The Lady Billies have some skilled players and it took a while for the Outlaws to figure out how to slow them down. Pleasant Hill’s point guard did an especially good job and would drive to the hoop and either score or dump the ball off to a teammate who got the score. Pleasant Hill is currently No. 1 in league with a 13-1 record and are ranked No. 7 in the state.

On the positive side, the Outlaws were healthier and 13 of their 14 players suited up and were able to play.

Coach Paul Patton told The Nugget he felt Hadley Schar played well at the point guard position and showed steady improvement at handling pressure from the Billies.

Ellie Mayes had a strong second half and scored all of her team-leading seven points. Delaney McAfee and Haleigh Froehlich scored four points each.

McAfee was again pesky on the defensive end, along with Josie Patton, who also provided solid defense for the Outlaws. Froehlich did a nice job of battling down low with players who were quite a bit taller.

At home on Friday, the Outlaws matched up against Creswell, the No. 2 team in league. Sisters started off well and played even with the Lady Bulldogs the first quarter, and finished the period 8-8. Creswell pulled slightly ahead in the second quarter and at the half the Outlaws trailed 14-18.

“We played pretty good defense in the first half and kept the game close,” said Patton. “We got some good shots both on cuts to the basket and catch-and-shoot threes, but they just weren’t dropping for us.”

In the second half the Outlaws’ shooting woes continued, and the Bulldogs hit some threes to widen the margin. Creswell also put on a full-court press and the Outlaws turned the ball over several times. The Bulldogs outscored the Outlaws 15-27 in the second half and posted the win.

Froehlich led the Outlaws with 11 points and was also big on the boards for the Outlaws. Shae Wyland played well on defense and recorded several blocked shots. Delaney McAfee also put forth a great defensive effort.

Josie Patton had a good all-around game, but took an elbow to the head in the final period, and had to leave the game due to a slight concussion.

Patton said, “The girls competed hard the whole game and did a lot of good things. It just came down to them hitting their shots more than us.”

Sisters was scheduled to play at LaPine on Monday, January 23. They will play at home against Elmira on Wednesday, January 25, and then play on the road at Siuslaw on Friday, January 27.