Lady Outlaws win back-to-back games

The Lady Outlaws basketball squad won two of their three games this past week. They started with back-to-back-wins on back-to-back nights, with a 43-31 road victory at Sweet Home on Tuesday, June 8, and then a 49-35 win at home against Newport on Wednesday. On Friday they fell 19-44 to Philomath, who is at the top of the pack in league play.

In Tuesday’s action the Outlaws had an outstanding defensive performance that earned them the victory. The first quarter was back-and-forth and at the close of the period it was tied up 11-11. Sisters outscored the Huskies by one in the second quarter and held a one-point lead, 17-16, as teams headed into the half.

The third quarter belonged to the Outlaws as they outscored Sweet Home 11-2. Freshman Ila Reid got all five of her game points in the third, her first a crossover at the basket, where she scored, got fouled, and converted her shot at the stripe. Payden Petterson added two buckets, and Josie Patton hit a jumper to put the Outlaws on top by ten.

Sisters shut down the Huskies’ offense, and out-rebounded Sweet Home 15-5 in the third period. Haleigh Froelich was strong on the glass and was responsible for most of the boards.

Petterson started off the final period with a shot from behind the arc, and Maggie Lutz did the same. Emma Lutz scored a three-point play with a strong move to the basket, and a free-throw. Josie Patton stole the ball, raced down the court, and scored. Sweet Home tried to keep up, but to no avail. The Outlaws held on to the lead and posted the win.

Petterson finished the night with 16 points, Emma Lutz scored 10, and Maggie Lutz recorded seven. Reid tallied five points, and Patton added four.

“This was a win in multiple ways, not just from the scoreboard, but how we all collectively came together as a team and played for each other,” Petterson said. “This was one of our best games yet. We had the drive, the determination, and the heart.”

Coach Carl Click told The Nugget that the Outlaws devised a plan to shut down Sweet Home’s top scorer, Brooke Burke. It took them two days of practice but they executed the plan to perfection.

Burke scored 20 points in the Huskie’s 15-point win over Sisters the first week of the season, but this time it was a completely different story.

Click said, “In the rematch she (Burke) barely touched the ball, couldn’t get anything going, and only scored a single free throw —one point!”

Emma and Maggie Lutz were tenacious and determined and took turns denying Burke the ball, and it paid off. Burke struggled, and as a team the Huskies never were able to find their rhythm on offense because their big playmaker was taken completely out of the game.

“I was really proud of how the girls learned something new, practiced it, and then executed it perfectly,” said Click.

A day later against Newport, Sisters recorded another win. The Outlaws started a bit sloppy, committed a lot of fouls, and only hit one three-pointer in the first half. On the flip-side, the Cubs shot the ball well, and made seven shots from behind the arc.

Sisters post players did dominate on the inside. Newport, who only had five players for most of the game, didn’t have a defensive answer for Froelich and Patton. The Outlaws held a slim two-point lead, 23-21, as teams entered the half.

In the second half the Outlaws took control of the game by getting the ball inside. Froelich started the half with three consecutive power moves for baskets down low.

Haleigh was on the bench for most of the first half due to foul trouble. She scored all 11 of her points in the second half.

Patton was a powerful presence and was bigger and stronger than the Cubs down low. She finished the game with 14 points.

Petterson scored 13 points, and Reid added four.

On Friday, Philomath snapped the Outlaws winning streak.

Sisters started with a great first half and held the Lady Warriors scoreless in the first quarter, and were on top 17-15 at halftime.

“The first half was a really good effort by our kids,” said Click. “We took care of the basketball and avoided turnovers, and we made some shots. Our kids played smart, hardworking defense that frustrated the opponents. We didn’t give them second chances, with good defensive rebounding, and played right with a very athletic and experienced team.”

The second half proved to be a different story. The Outlaws turned the ball over, and made defensive mistakes that led to many easy baskets for the Warriors. Sisters couldn’t convert on the offensive end, were held scoreless in the third period, and only put two points on the scoreboard in the final quarter.

Petterson scored five points in the contest, and Reid added four.

Click said, “It was a good 16-minute effort, but a tough lesson that you have to play 32 minutes to stay with a team as good as Philomath.”

Sisters was scheduled to play at home against Cascade on Tuesday, June 15. On Wednesday they host Woodburn and on Friday they will wrap up league play at home against Stayton. The Outlaws currently hold a 4-6 record.