Girls lose to Hamlin in overtime
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions basketball team made significant strides in its two games last week despite battling foul trouble and a state-ranked opponent.
The Lady Lions lost 48-44 in overtime at Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 4, as three players fouled out in the extra period. On Friday, Jan. 7, Albany fell 62-21 to Cisco at home.
The Lady Lions (2-12 overall, 0-4 District 10-2A) visited Anson on Tuesday, Jan. 11, losing 66-28. Details will be reported next week.
On Friday, Jan. 14, Albany hosts Stamford to wrap up the first round of the district schedule.
In the 48-44 loss at Hamlin, the Lady Lions led into the fourth quarter before the Lady Pipers rallied to tie. Hamlin posted an 8-4 edge in overtime.
“We haven’t been in many close games like that,” Albany coach Tate Thompson said. “We should have put them away with free throws. We had three different chances to clinch it and missed them.”
Albany finished 15 of 37 at the line for the game.
Kiana Roberson scored 20 points to lead the
Lady Lions, with Avery Kleiner adding 10.
In the 62-21 loss to Cisco, Albany stayed close in the first quarter, hitting four 3-pointers, but couldn’t maintain the pace. The opening period saw four lead changes before Cisco, ranked No. 16 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 2A poll, took the lead for good.
“We came out in the first half and played better than we have all year,” Thompson said. “We were flying around and getting after it, catching with confidence and playing great defense. If we start doing that the second half of district, we’re going to make people respect us a little bit.”
Ashlyn Holson led Albany with eight points, while Kleiner and Roberson each added five.
Thompson said the final margin was not indicative of the team’s performance.
“We took a huge step forward, and that’s what we need to go off of,” he said. “We need to stick with it and just go play hard. I was very happy with that.”
HAMLIN 48, ALBANY 44 (OT)
ALBANY (44) – Ashlyn Holson 1 2-8 5, Briley Tabor 2 0-3 6, Avery Kleiner 4 0-2 10, Lizzie Chavez 1 1-2 3, Kiana Roberson 4 12-18 20, Caroline Holson 0 0-2 0, Callan Edgar 0 0-2 0, Totals 12 15-37 44.
HAMLIN (48) – S.Gonzales 7 1-4 20, L.Duniven 1 1-4 3, C.Botos 2 6-7 10, R.Rivera 2 1-2 3, R.Leek 0 1-2 1, T.Reed 3 1-5 7, B.Richardson 2 0-1 4. Totals 16 11-25 48.
Albany 13 11 7 9 4 - 44
Hamlin 7 10 9 14 8 - 48
3-point goals – Albany 5 (A.Holson 1, Tabor 2, Kleiner 2), Hamlin 5 (Gonzales 5). Total fouls – Albany 24, Hamlin 26. Fouled out – Kleiner, Chavez, Roberson, Leek, Richardson. Technical fouls – none.
CISCO 62, ALBANY 21
CISCO (62) – Brunson 3 0-0 6, S.Hurtado 7 2-4 17, Fox 3 2-3 9, B.Hurtado 5 0-2 10, Flores 2 0-0 5, Geismer 1 2-4 4, Hogue 1 1-2 3, Raygosa 3 0-0 8. Totals 25 7-15 62.
ALBANY (21) – Ashlyn Holson 3 0-2 8, Briley Tabor 1 0-0 3, Avery Kleiner 2 0-0 5, Lizzie Chavez 0 0-0 0, Kiana Roberson 2 1-5 5. Totals 8 1-7 21.
Cisco 15 13 20 14 - 62
Albany 13 2 2 4 - 21
3-point goals – Cisco 5 (S.Hurtado 1, Fox 1, Flores 1, Raygosa 2), Albany 4 (A.Holson 2, Tabor 1, Kleiner 1). Total fouls – Cisco 11, Albany 13. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls – none.
