Boys to host Graford this Friday
By Donnie A. Lucas
The varsity Lion basketball team went 2-2 at the local tournament held last week and also hosted a game Tuesday against the Abilene Hawks.
The Lions picked up a very close 37-36 win over the Hawks at home. Details of the game will be reported next week.
Albany will also host JV and varsity games on Friday against Graford starting at 5:00 p.m. with the JV. The varsity will follow at 6:30 p.m.
All three boys teams will travel to Archer City on Tuesday, Jan. 14 for the final pre-district game of the season. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. for the first JV game.
The District 8-2A race will begin in Roscoe on Friday, Jan. 17.
The Lions improved to 4-7 for the season with a pair of wins last week in the local tournament.
Albany started with a first-round win over Winters, 53-45.
“We played well for three and a half quarters, but didn’t finish strong,” head boys coach Ryder Peacock said. “Overall, it was good to be back on the winning side.”
The coach praised offensive standouts Ben West, Blaine Kayga, and Coby Knight.
“Those guys stepped up on offense with at least one big quarter each,” he said. “It was a good win over a very athletic Winters team.”
Albany 15 15 12 11 - 53
Winters 9 10 9 19 - 45
Scoring for the Lions were Cole Chapman 2, B.J. Morris 4, Cade Neve 3, West 17, Knight 15, and Kayga 12.
The Lions lost to San Saba in the second game on Friday, 47-30.
“That was a tough game,” Peacock said. “We did some things well in the first half, but we didn’t have much left in the second half, and the score reflected that.”
The Lions trailed 20-17 at the half but lost the second half 27-13.
“San Saba was able to capitalize on several of our turnovers,” he said. “And our shots just wouldn’t fall for us.”
Kayga was tapped as the offensive leader.
Albany 10 7 5 8 - 30
San Saba 12 8 15 12 - 47
Scoring for Albany were Chapman 2, Seth Hale 2, Morris 6, Neve 2, West 2, Knight 6, and Kayga 10.
The Lions turned things around on Saturday with a 53-28 victory over Hico.
“Defensively, we did a good job of pressuring out and forcing several turnovers,” Peacock said. “We had a slow start but did well in the second quarter for a comfortable lead at the half. Then we really expanded it in the third.”
Offensive leaders were West and Chapman.
“I thought Cole played his best offensive game, attacking the basket with confidence,” said Peacock.
Albany 8 16 15 14 - 53
Hico 6 2 4 16 - 28
Scoring were Chapman 12, Hale 3, Morris 6, Neve 4, West 14, Brooks Neece 2, Knight 6, and Kayga 6.
The Lions played their most competitive game against Jayton on Saturday, despite losing 43-37.
“This was by far our best overall performace as a team,” the coach said. “The guys did a good job of playing within themselves and really took care of the ball.”
Albany led at the half 21-16 and again after the third 31-29. However, a late run by Jayton resulted in a 14-6 fourth quarter.
“We missed some shots late when we had the lead that gave Jayton the opportunity to take the lead,” Peacock said. “Overall, the guys really played well on both ends of the court.”
Offensive standouts were West, Kayga, and Neve.
Albany 7 14 10 6 - 37
Jayton 12 4 13 14 - 43
Scoring were Morris 5, Neve 7, West 11, Knight 6, and Kayga 8.
