Outlaws hoops lose three in a row

Sisters boys basketball lost all three of their games last week: a 68-41 loss at Cascade on Tuesday, June 15, and a day later a 70-58 loss at Woodburn. On Friday the Outlaws fell 65-52 to Stayton.

In Tuesday’s action against the Cougars at Cascade, the Outlaws started out strong and at the close of the first quarter the game was knotted up 15-15. Cascade outscored the Outlaws by five in the second period and held a 25-20 advantage as teams headed into the half.

Sisters played well but had a tough time against the Cougars’ 6-foot-10-inch shot-blocker in the middle. As the game progressed that became even more difficult and the Outlaws started to settle for outside shots.

The Outlaws were outscored 25-6 in the third quarter, which was a deficit they couldn’t overcome.

Max Palanuk led the Outlaws with 15 points. Nate Weber scored nine, Camden Froelich tallied eight, and Ricky Huffman added five.

A day later the Outlaws kept the game close against a very athletic Bulldog team that loved the full-court press. At the half Sisters was down by six, 29-35. Woodburn held on to the lead and outscored the Outlaws exactly like they had in the first half, 29-25, to beat Sisters by 12.

Coach Rob Jensen told The Nugget that the Outlaws just weren’t able to sustain the effort needed throughout the whole game.

“They got us in the end and pulled away with free throws in the last quarter,” said Jensen.

Palanuk had a big night for the Outlaws and hit six triples for 18 points to keep the game close. Weber also had a big offensive night and recorded 16 points. Froelich scored nine, Connor Linn had eight, and Huffman added six.

On Friday the Outlaws got off to a great offensive start against the Eagles, but Stayton was just a bit better, and at the close of the first period Sisters trailed 20-23. In the second quarter teams played fairly even, and at the half the Outlaws were down by four.

The Eagles came out in a zone in the third and executed the trap effectively. The Outlaws gave up some unforced turnovers and had trouble getting to the hoop. Stayton’s shooter hit three triples in the third and Sisters was outscored by eight.

In the fourth, teams played pretty even but the Outlaws weren’t able to get enough stops to make up the lost ground.

Froelich did a great job for the Outlaws and attacked the basket most of the game, finishing the night with 17 points. Weber scored 13, Linn recorded 11, and Palanuk added nine.

Sisters was scheduled to finish up their season with a game against Bend on Monday, June 21, and La Pine on Tuesday.