Albany rolls past Eastland in season opener
The Albany Lions opened their basketball season last week with a dominant road win over Eastland, posting a 73-point performance and setting an early tone for the year. Head coach Ryder Peacock said the defensive effort led the way in the 73–14 victory, noting that the team created turnovers, rebounded well, and turned stops into scoring chances.
“It was our overall defensive effort,” Peacock said. “We really got after it, rebounded well, and created a lot of scoring opportunities.”
The strong start came after only one full practice with the complete roster. With several football players transitioning to basketball, this week’s practices have focused on refining coverages, adding full-court defensive looks, and installing situational sets the team may need later in the season. Peacock said this group’s basketball experience has allowed them to work ahead in some areas. “They’ve played a lot of basketball already. They’re a highly intelligent group,” he said.
The JV Lions also delivered an impressive performance, defeating Eastland 53–16 in a game that showcased the depth of the basketball program. The JV squad played with energy, defended well, and controlled the game throughout, demonstrating that Albany’s younger players form a stout, well-rounded group capable of maintaining the same intensity seen at the varsity level. Their strong showing reinforces the program’s overall strength and the competitive foundation being built across both teams.
Albany now turns its attention to the Lingleville Tournament, scheduled for Dec. 11–13. The Lions will face Olney on Thursday, then Bluffdale and Coleman on Friday, before meeting Eastland again on Saturday. The seven-team field also includes Lingleville and Newcastle, though Albany will not play either during the tournament.
After the tournament, Albany will face Comanche next Tuesday in the final game before the Christmas break. Home games will continue to be broadcast on YouTube, with JV video and varsity audio available.
