Boys to start season Dec. 20

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions have delayed the start of basketball season as long as possible, but they are finally turning their attention to the court.

Just six days after playing for a state championship in football, the Lions tip off their season Tuesday, Dec. 20, with their District 10-2A opener  against Haskell at home.

Lions coach Ryder Peacock expects most of the varsity roster to be made up of athletes who were still playing football this week.

“We’ve been here before,” he said. “These guys were in about the same situation last year, so it’s not going to be anything new to them.”

Albany went 11-7 last season after the football team reached the state semifinals. The Lions finished third in district before advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

“Honestly, I think still being in football is a benefit for us,” Peacock said. “The way the guys have been competing in football is going to help us that much more in basketball. We’ll get going on Monday and play on Tuesday.”

Peacock said he expects a certain level of retention among returning players after graduating only one senior last year.

“Most of our guys have been in the system several years and know what to expect, what we do,” he said. “There’s not a lot of learning going on. We’ve just got to pick up where we left off last year and keep moving forward.”

Following their opener, the Lions will immediately hit the semester break with a mandatory five-day dead period. Albany will compete in the Brownwood tournament Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 28-30, taking on De Leon at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Brownwood Coliseum.

Albany resumes district play Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Hamlin before hosting Coleman on Friday, Jan. 6 in a nondistrict game.