Outlaws post big win over Lancers

The Outlaws posted a 68-32 victory at home over the visiting South Umpqua Lancers on Thursday, December 19.

Sisters’ early defensive pressure held the Lancers scoreless for the first four minutes of the opening quarter. Kieren Labhart got the Outlaws on the scoreboard with a contested jumper at the rim, and a couple of possessions later he connected on a three-pointer from the top of the key on a pass from Kale Gardner. Gardner led the scoring effort with seven points and at the close of the period the Outlaws held a 14-5 lead.

The Outlaws held the Lancers scoreless to start the second period, while they put up eight points during that stretch. Bodie Schar got the Outlaws scoring going on a transition lay-up on a pass from half-court by Gardner. With 5:45 left, Landen Scott got a steal and passed the ball ahead to Labhart for a two-handed slam dunk that got both the team and the crowd on their feet. Scott put up 10 points in the quarter and at the half Sisters had extended their lead to 32-13.

It was more of the same in the third, with the Outlaws scoring the first six points. Coach Chad Rush told The Nugget that with the decent lead they switched to their 2-3 zone defense so they could get some live game work in against an opposing team.

Sisters continued with intensity and pressure and forced seven turnovers in the third quarter. The Outlaws had a balanced attack, and five different players scored. Oliver Bernhardt and Gardner both put up six points in the period. At the end of three the Outlaws were up 54-22.

The final quarter marked the first time the Lancers would score before the Outlaws in a quarter, but the short 0-2 run didn’t last. On the next possession Labhart answered right back on a nice back door lay-up feed from Gardner. Bernhardt and Will McDonnell both connected on three-pointers in the quarter to widen the gap even further. The clock ticked down and Sisters recorded the win.

Scott led the Outlaws with 18 points, Gardner scored 13, and Bernhardt tallied 11. McDonnell and Labhart contributed nine points each, and Garrett Sager added six.

Rush said, “This was a very good defensive effort for the Outlaws. To hold an opponent to single digit points for three quarters is a sign of dictating pace and style of play. One of our goals was to push tempo by pushing the ball in transition on missed and made baskets. We did a great job of that and I think that showed in some of the short shots the Lancers would shoot in the second half.

“I was pleased with the continued defensive improvements the team is making as this will be a key component to our success as we enter league play in January,” added Rush.

The Outlaws were scheduled to play at Henley on Monday, December 23. They will play at home against North Marion on Saturday, December 28. The following week the Outlaws will host their annual Sisters Holiday Tournament which will be held Thursday through Saturday, January 2-4.