Boys basketball squad bounces back with two wins

The boys basketball squad snapped their two-game losing streak with a dominant 66-34 victory at Jefferson High School on Tuesday, December 6. At home two days later, they destroyed the Dawgs of Culver with a final score of 63-29.

In Tuesday’s action the Outlaws set the tone of the contest from the opening tip, and the defense caused the Lions to turn the ball over on their first two possessions. Sisters used full-court man-to-man pressure to make the Lions uncomfortable the entire period. Adam Maddox-Castle led the first quarter scoring with six points on two transition baskets and two points from the free-throw line. At the close of the first quarter the Outlaws held a 20-8 lead.

Sisters kept the pressure on in the second quarter, and continued to attack the rim in penetration and in their half-court offense. Jessey Murillo had seven points in the quarter, three-for-five from the line, and two baskets.

The Lions weren’t able to handle the Outlaws’ defensive intensity and constant pressure, and committed 20 turnovers in the half. The Outlaws converted nine of their 13 attempts at the charity stripe, and at the half were on top 34-15.

At the half the Outlaws talked about keeping the pressure on in the third quarter, and they were able to do just that. They held the Lions to six points, their lowest scoring quarter of the game. Sisters had a well-balanced attack and scored 14 points in the period, with six different players putting points on the board. The Outlaws remained aggressive on offense and made six of their eight attempts at the line.

In the final quarter, Sisters came out in their 1-3-1 zone defense for the first time this season to get some game experience with that defense. Since it was the first time, there were a number of defensive breakdowns and miscommunication, which led to the Lions’ highest-scoring quarter of the game (13). In spite of trying to work through a new defense, the Outlaws outscored the Lions 18-13 in the period and recorded the win.

Mehkye Froelich scored seven points in the final quarter, including a plus-one opportunity as the clock expired.

Landon Scott led the scoring effort with 15 points. Froehlich scored 11 points, and Murillo scored 11 points and pulled down eight boards. Maddox-Castle tallied nine points and Garrett Sager contributed seven points and five rebounds. Kale Gardner and Brody Fischer added six and five points, respectively.

Coach Chad Rush said, “I was very proud of the team tonight. They listened to what we talked about in practices leading up to this game and were able to execute the changes and emphasis for the game. Being able to consistently put pressure on the ball will be a key for us as we move forward this season.”

In Friday’s game against Culver the game started with the score going back and forth, with the score tied up four times before the Outlaws plowed ahead. From there the Outlaws jumped on the Bulldogs and by the close of the quarter outscored them 29-10.

Sisters tore apart the Dawgs’ zone defense with patience and unselfish passing, and tallied six assists in the quarter. The Outlaws’ defensive pressure caused Culver to turn the ball over six times. Sisters hit four three-pointers; two from Scott, and one each from Diego Silva and Froehlich. The Outlaws held the Dawgs scoreless for the final four minutes except for two points they got from the charity stripe. Froehlich and Scott both scored eight points in the quarter.

The Outlaws continued their unselfish play in the second quarter. Sisters went to a 1-3-1 zone and caused five Bulldog turnovers. Silva hit another three and Brody Fisher hit the bottom of the net with a three to end the first half scoring and extend the Outlaws’ lead to 45-16.

Sisters was a bit sluggish at the start of the third and consequently lost the quarter to the Bulldogs 8-11. Silva continued his hot shooting, and knocked down his third long ball of the night. The Dawgs closed out the quarter with eight straight points, including back-to-back threes from senior Logan Macy. At the end of three the Outlaws still held the lead, 53-27.

The Outlaws regained their intensity in the final quarter, and held the Dawgs to just two points. Most of the starters sat out the remainder of the game and the bench did a great job, and forcing five Bulldog turnovers. The Outlaws capped their scoring with a Fischer steal and layup and a layup from Silva.

Eight different Outlaws contributed in the scoring effort. Silva led the team with 17 points, followed by Froehlich, who scored 12 points and recorded five steals. Scott scored 10 points and dished out three assists. Maddox-Castle scored nine points, and Fischer contributed seven. Murillo had four points and four assists and pulled down seven boards. Garrett Sager finished with seven rebounds and two points. Hudson Beckwith also had two points in the contest.

Rush said, “This was a complete team win from tip to final buzzer. I was proud of how patient and unselfishly the team worked tonight in handling Culver’s zone defense. Our defensive intensity continues to improve, which will be much needed as we continue our non-league schedule and head into league play.”

Sisters was to play at Cottage Grove on Tuesday, December 13. They will travel to Yamhill-Carlton on Friday, December 16.