The Outlaws escaped disaster in first game of the season.

The Enterprise High School boys’ basketball team led for most of last Tuesday night’s game at the Wallowa High School gym, but the Outlaws had to fend off a pursuit in the final quarter of play. They made big baskets when it counted most, leaving the court with a 48-43 win.

“That gave new meaning to the word ‘ugly,'” Enterprise coach Steve Lear said after the game’s end.

Junior Trenton Neil scored a game-high 23 points for the Outlaws. He, along with Jacob Girtz (8 points) and Kyle Stewart (6 points), tallied the crucial baskets late in the game.

Wallowa senior Brandon Mahon converted a steal into a lay up for a 36-36 tie, with three minutes remaining. Neil responded by sinking a pair of free throws to regain the lead. Later, he drove through the Cougars’ defense for a tough basket while drawing a foul. He swished the bonus shot, making it 44-38.

On the Cougars’ next possession, Stewart swiped the ball and raced down the court for two more points.

However, the Cougars had already rallied from behind once that night. They trailed with an 11-0 deficit in the second quarter and 22-12 at the half. This time, freshman Ronald Gladden (Wallowa’s leader with 11 points) banked a short jumper off the glass. Sophomore Tyler Harshfield (9 points) nailed a three-pointer, and Wallowa was within 46-43 with 13.3 seconds left.

“We fell behind, but nobody just dropped dead,” coach Kyle Burnett said. “I think they were tight (early on), and then they started to relax.”

The Cougars set up a full court press to steal the ball again, but the Outlaws beat them with a long pass to Girtz, who dashed to the hoop and clinched the win.

Contact reporter Hector del Castillo at 426-4567, or by e-mail at hdelcastillo@wallowa.com.