Albany girls use break to get on track
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions suffered through another frustrating week in the District 10-2A girls basketball race with losses to Haskell and Hamlin.
After having the district bye on Tuesday, Jan. 31, Albany (8-18 overall, 1-9 district) visits Stamford at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3.
The Lady Lions make their final home appearance of the season at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, when Anson visits the AHS gym for senior night.
The district schedule is in flux after a winter storm forced postponement of all Tuesday games this week.
“The open date and this winter storm was kind of a welcome break for us,” Lady Lions coach Tate Thompson said. “We can get our bearings back and try to finish off strong and be competitive.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Albany dropped a 59-32 decision. The Lady Lions held an early 4-2 lead before the Maidens closed the first quarter on a 14-0 run.
Haskell led by 22 at halftime, hitting three of its five 3-pointers early in the second quarter, and by 30 at the end of the third quarter.
Kiana Roberson had 16 points to lead the Lady Lions. Haskell countered with three players in double figures.
Against Hamlin on Friday, Jan. 27, the Lady Lions saw their best chance at a home district win come up short in a 47-44 loss. Albany won the first meeting 38-37 at Hamlin on Jan. 3.
Hamlin took the rematch, which featured seven ties and nine lead changes. The Lady Pipers went ahead to stay at 40-37 on a 3-pointer by Bo Richardson with 4:31 to go.
Roberson scored 22 points to lead Albany. Caroline Chapman added 11 points, making three 3-pointers.
Untimely turnovers and foul trouble in the second half hampered Albany’s chances. The Lady Lions had three players play most of the fourth quarter with four fouls.
Albany actually outscored Hamlin at the line, making 11 of 19 free throws while the Lady Pipers went 10 of 23. Hamlin made up for that with five 3-pointers to Albany’s three.
The Lady Lions led the entire first quarter, but never by more than three points. Albany held three-point leads on six occasions, the last at 35-32 early in the fourth quarter. Hamlin managed to stay within a possession, twice tying the game on 3-pointers.
After falling behind 19-13, Hamlin’s largest lead, midway through the second quarter, Albany closed the first half with a 7-0 run. Roberson’s basket with 12 seconds left gave the Lady Lions a 20-19 halftime lead.
Neither team led by more than three in the second half until Hamlin used an 8-3 surge to go up 45-40 on Sky Lechuga’s 3-pointer with 1:42 remaining. Albany made just one field goal the rest of the way.
HASKELL 59, ALBANY 32
ALBANY – Kiana Roberson 16, Madison Parrott 4, Briley Tabor 4, Kaisley Bartee 2, Caroline Holson 2, Caroline Chapman 2, Mimi Ivy 2.
Albany 4 12 8 8 - 32
Haskell 18 20 16 5 - 59
HAMLIN 47, ALBANY 44
ALBANY – Kiana Roberson 22, Caroline Chapman 11, Callan Edgar 3, Madison Parrott 2, Caroline Holson 2, Briley Tabor 2, Avery Everitt 2.
Hamlin 7 12 13 15 - 47
Albany 9 11 13 11 - 44
