The Lady Outlaws’ excitement last week was worth more than the price of admission.

Three times, the girls at Enterprise High School played basketball games decided in the closing minutes. They began Dec. 8 at Joseph, where the Outlaws came from behind the home team and won, 43-30. “We were all kinda excited because it was Joseph,” said senior Summer De Spain, who scored 14 points. “We wanted to beat them so bad.”

Hosting the Winter Classic three days later, Enterprise held off Ione’s late charge and earned a 32-28 victory. The following night, in the last minute of the championship game, the Outlaws – shortly after halftime, they trailed by 15 points – pulled to within a single basket of the Griswold (Helix) Grizzlies before losing 33-31.

The Enterprise record dropped to 4-2.

Over the week, De Spain totaled 28 points. Senior Sarah Butterfield also scored each night, 20 points all together. Junior Alex McCadden had 15, senior Joscelyn Stangel 13, freshman Marta Stangel 12 and sophomore Shelby Graning 10. Junior Hannah Graham contributed 4 points. Senior Asuka Matsuda and sophomore Whitney Schaefer each chipped in a basket against Ione.

Enterprise also hosted Wallowa for a Dec. 15 game. It was too late for this edition of the Chieftain.

Next, the Lady Outlaws will host the Elgin Huskies for a Dec. 18 game.