Albany senior named to all-state Elite team

By Sam Waller

Albany senior Luke Ivy has been named to the Texas High School Coaches Association boys basketball Elite Academic All-State team.

The THSCA Academic All-State teams recognize high school athletes who excel with grade point average, class rank, and ACT/SAT scores. To qualify, students must be seniors who maintain an overall grade point of at least 92.

The honors are divided into elite, first team, second team, and honorable mention.

Ivy was one of 25 elite selections from all UIL conferences.

“These athletes have to have nearly perfect scores in all categories to be on the elite team,” boys basketball coach Ryder Peacock said. “Luke’s scores are extremely high. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a student-athlete get on the elite team.”

Peacock said Ivy’s academic achievements lend themselves to success in athletics.

“He’s a bright kid,” Peacock said. “He’s one of those who you know is going to do things exactly how a coach explains it. He’s extremely smart – one of those kids who gets it.”

Peacock said Ivy’s understanding of the game made him a vital part of the Lions qualifying for the playoffs and winning a bi-district championship.

“He pays attention,” the coach said. “You know as soon as you draw something up that Luke’s going to do what you ask him to do. He’s going to do exactly as you ask him, and you can trust it’s going to get done.”