Boys basketball extends winning streak

The Outlaws packed in three games this past week — and tallied wins in all three.

Sisters started their week with a 51-47 win at La Pine on Monday, January 23, followed by a 46-24 home victory against Elmira on Wednesday. They wrapped up the week on the road with a 51-37 victory against the Falcons of Siuslaw.

The Outlaws currently are in second place in the Mountain Valley Conference.

On Monday the Outlaws traveled to La Pine and took on the Hawks. The scoring went back and forth in the first period, with both teams taking no more than a two-point lead. Adam Maddox-Castle hit a short jumper on a sideline out-of-bounds play from Landon Scott with one second left on the clock, and the Outlaws went up by three, 14-11, to close out the period.

Sisters got a slow start in the second quarter, and the Hawks quickly put four points on the scoreboard and took a one-point lead. The game continued to go back and forth with neither the Outlaws or the Hawks going up by more than three. At the half Sisters trailed by one, 21-22.

The Hawks connected on two quick three-point shots at the start of the third and the Outlaws quickly switched back to their man-to-man defense. Sisters went on a 6-0 run to close out the quarter, including a long ball from Scott as the buzzer sounded to take a seven point advantage, 39-32. Unfortunately, Jessey Murillo went down with an ankle injury and was unable to play the remainder of the contest. Kale Gardner scored five points in the quarter, including a three-pointer early in the period that put the Outlaws back on top 26-25.

It was a grinding, physical, final quarter, and both teams got to the charity stripe several times; the Outlaws 6-11 and LaPine 6-8. Sisters held the lead the entire period, and only allowed the Hawks to get within two. Taine Martin and Brody Fischer did a great job of replacing injured Murillo and kept the Hawk’s big post from scoring any field goal baskets. Froehlich, Maddox-Castle and Gardner each scored four points in the period.

Maddox-Castle led the team with 12 points and five rebounds, and Gardner followed with 10 points and five rebounds. Scott tallied seven points and six assists, and Froehlich, Martin, and Murillo all finished with seven.

“This was a good win for our team,” said Coach Chad Rush. “La Pine had not lost a league game at home yet this season so we knew it was going to be a tough test for us. I was proud of how the boys followed up Friday’s OT win against Creswell with good effort and focus tonight. This was once again a very physical and rough-played game, and I am extremely pleased with how our team handled the physicality and kept their composure the entire game.”

Two days later the Outlaws posted a big win at home over Elmira to kick off the second half of league play.

The Falcons jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Froehlich hit a mid-range jumper three minutes into the quarter to get the Outlaws’ scoring started. Froehlich posted seven points in the quarter, including a wide open layup out of a baseline out-of-bounds play and a three-pointer at the buzzer off a Gardner assist. At the end of the first quarter, Sisters was on top by one, 9-8.

Elmira started the second quarter with a 4-0 run and took a three-point lead, but that was the last lead the Falcons had in the period as the Outlaws outscored them 12-2 for the remainder of the quarter. Froehlich and Hudson Beckwith both knocked down threes and Froehlich once again led the Outlaws with seven points in the period.

Sisters entered the third quarter with a seven-point lead, and jumped out with intensity and determination. The Outlaws came out in an aggressive, trapping 2-3 zone that caused confusion and chaos for the Falcons, who committed six turnovers in the period. The Outlaws also held the Falcons scoreless for the first five minutes, and at the close of the period held a 32-18 advantage.

The Outlaws didn’t let up with their 14-point lead, but kept the pressure on and started the final period with an 8-0 run, while holding the Falcons scoreless until there was 3:18 left on the clock. Sisters’ starters handed the ball off to the reserves, who got extended playing time in the quarter. Levi Szesze took advantage of the opportunity, scored four points off the bench, and the Outlaws recorded the win.

Rush said, “I was proud of the team and the complete performance they put together. I was especially proud of Taine Martin, Garrett Sager, and Brody Fischer for stepping up their game in the absence of Murillo. Going up against Elmira’s big man was no easy task, but those three battled hard and held him to just four points on the night.

“Hudson Beckwith came off the bench tonight and lit a spark for us in the second quarter with five points in just under a minute of play, and that was important for us to maintain our momentum.”

Sisters wrapped up their busy week with a four-hour bus ride to Siuslaw on Friday. Martin hit a jumper from the free-throw line, and Froehlich followed with a layup to give the Outlaws a 4-0 start. Sisters extended their lead to 10-2 before the Vikings closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run.

Siuslaw struck first in the second period and tied the game 10-10, but the Outlaws responded with a 5-0 run to regain the lead at 15-10. Sisters held a 19-16 advantage near the end of the period, and then Fischer hit back-to-back long balls to help the Outlaws take a 25-20 lead at the half.

The Outlaws have been coming out with great third-quarter performances during their recent winning streak, and this time around was no different, as Sisters outscored Siuslaw 10-7 in the period. The Vikings cut Sisters’ lead to two points at 27-25, but the Outlaws responded with an 8-2 run and closed out the quarter on top with a score of 35-27. Diego Silva hit two back-to-back jumpers to lead the Outlaws with four points in the quarter.

Sisters started the final period on an 11-4 run, went up 46-31, took complete control of the game, and recorded the win.

Rush said, “This was a true road-warrior game for us tonight. Not only was it our third game this week, and fifth game in nine days, but we also had to travel almost four hours to play the game where Siuslaw had not lost a home game yet. The odds were certainly stacked against us. But that is what I love about this team; they don’t worry about all the outside noise and are just really learning how to play the game that we need to play each and every night to be successful. It’s fun to see them maturing in this way.

“It was great to see Brody (Fischer) and Diego (Silva) hit those big baskets for us tonight that helped stop the Vikings’ momentum at such key times,” added Rush. “We’re excited to get back in front of our home crowd and try to continue this momentum we are carrying right now.”

Sisters will play at home against Harrisburg on Thursday, February 2.