6 players earn post-season honors

Six Albany basketball players have been named to positions on the All-Big Country Basketball teams for Class 2A, along with a local coach being recognized as Coach of the Year.

Seniors Cameron Dacus and Ryan Hill both received first team selections for Class 2A, while senior Josh Dyer and juniors Ben West and Coby Knight were named to the second team.

On the girls side, junior Jaleigh Morales was given a place on the Class 2A first team, and third-year girls coach Tate Thompson was named Coach of the Year.

The Lions finished the season with a 13-6 record, taking second place in district and advancing in the playoffs with a bi-district win over Christoval. They lost to Sundown in the area round of the playoffs.

The Lady Lions were 21-10 for the season, finishing second in District 8-2A. The team defeated Eldorado in the bi-district round, but also fell to Sundown at the area playoff.

Dacus was also named District 8-2A MVP, averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.

Hill, who suffered a season-ending injury during Albany’s second district game, was averaging 18.7 points per game, along with 11.5 rebounds through eight games. He was named to the All-District first team.

Morales was picked for the girls’ first team, averaging 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists. She led the Lady Lions in scoring and was named District 8-2A Co-Defensive MVP.

Three Lions were picked for the second team, including Dyer, a senior averaging 7.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He also was selected for the All-District first team.

Knight was given the district’s Sixth Man Award, averaging eight points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

West was a first-team All-District selection, averaging 6.5 points per game.

Thompson, who took the Lady Lions from a 3-19 first year to 21-10 this season, was named the All-Big Country Basketball Coach of the Year.