Youth teams post solid performances
By Sam Waller
Albany’s youth basketball teams enjoyed solid performances Saturday, Jan. 14 in their second outing of the season, winning seven of eight games with the only loss coming by one point in overtime.
In girls games played at Jim Ned, the sixth grade team defeated Eula 18-12 and Hawley Maroon 16-0. The fifth grade girls swept Merkel Purple 12-4 and Merkel White, 17-6.
In boys games at Merkel, the sixth graders stayed unbeaten, winning 22-17 over Jim Ned Blue and 44-28 against Eula. The fifth grade team split its games, falling 17-16 in overtime against Eula before beating Merkel White 24-8.
Three of the four teams will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 21, with the fifth grade girls having an open date.
The boys will play at Hawley with the sixth grade team facing Jim Ned Red at 9:00 a.m. and Merkel at 10:00 a.m. The fifth graders will play Merkel Purple at 9:00 a.m. and Jim Ned at 11:00 a.m.
GIRLS
Sixth Grade
Against Eula, Keeley Britting and Hailey Gleitz each scored six points to lead Albany. Mackenzee Roysdon scored three points, with Avery Gleitz adding two and Sawyer Shoaf one.
Against Hawley Maroon, Tinley Hefner scored eight points, Britting scored six, and Hailey Gleitz scored two.
“The girls made improvement from the first week in their rebounding and passing,” coach Susan Britting said. “Tinley Hefner applied a lot of pressure on the ball, and her defense led to several turnovers.”
Fifth Grade
Against Merkel Purple, Albany pulled away in the second half after being tied at halftime. Presley Rosales scored four points, with Gibson Ware, Willa Early, Artie Bell, and Kimberly Howe each scoring two.
Against Merkel White, Albany led 8-4 at the half. Loralie Balliew led the team with eight points. Bell scored four points, with Karter Thompson adding three and Addisyn Peacock two.
BOYS
Sixth Grade
Against Jim Ned Blue, Blake Britting scored 13 points, and Lyle Wheeler had nine. Britting scored nine points in the first half.
Against Eula, Wheeler scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half as Albany pulled away. Britting scored 14 points. Slayton Parsons and Levi Murphy scored five points apiece, with each hitting a 3-pointer in the first half.
Fifth Grade
Against Eula, Luke Smith led Albany with eight points, while McCoy Vaughn and Patton Smith each scored four.
“The boys fought hard against a good team that’s undefeated,” coach Morgan Smith said.
Against Merkel White, Patton Smith scored 11 points to lead the team, and Luke Smith added eight. Tusi Togia and Matthew Key each scored two points, while Tank Johnson had one.
Photos Scheduled
Team photos for all four youth teams will be taken at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 in the main lobby of the high school gym.
Since all games for this age group are out of town, a special time was arranged that will hopefully be convenient for all team members.
Photos will be taken by The Albany News for a special youth basketball page after Little Dribblers season and will also be available for purchase.
