Girls resume district with win
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions look to build on momentum gained from their holiday tournament as they resumed District 10-2A play with a win on Tuesday.
After going 2-2 and earning the top spot in the bronze bracket at the May tournament, played Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 27-29, the Lady Lions (8-11 overall, 1-3 district) started the 2023 portion of their schedule Tuesday, Jan. 3, with a close 38-37 win Hamlin. Details will be reported next week.
After an open date on Friday, Jan. 6, Albany resumes district play Tuesday, Jan. 10 at home against Stamford.
The Lady Lions entered the holiday break Tuesday, Dec. 20 with a 41-20 loss to Haskell.
At May, Albany opened by beating Lometa 39-17,then lost 39-36 in overtime to Priddy and 43-36 to Early before closing the week with a 48-27 win over Cherokee. Kiana Roberson, who averaged 18 points per game in the tourney, was named to the all-tournament team.
“This was a good tournament for us,” Lady Lions coach Tate Thompson said. “We got lots of different looks and game situations. The main thing is getting back in shape after the break.”
Against Haskell, Albany was stymied by the Maidens’ defensive pressure as a four-point deficit after the first quarter steadily increased the rest of the way.
“We struggled early with our scoring, and that got us in a bind,” Thompson said. “Hopefully, we can handle their press a little better next time.”
The Lady Lions visit Haskell on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Roberson led Albany with six points, followed by Briley Tabor with five and Callan Edgar with four.
Against Lometa, Albany picked up steam as the game progressed, turning a one-point lead after one quarter to six at halftime and 10 entering the fourth quarter. Roberson scored 16 points with Tabor adding eight.
In the loss to Priddy, the Lady Lions made up a three-point deficit after three quarters to force the extra period before falling. Roberson scored 23 points with Tabor and Caroline Chapman each adding five.
Albany found itself in another tight game against Early, trailing by two points at halftime and four entering the final quarter. Roberson scored 20 points with Caroline Holson adding six.
The Lady Lions seized control quickly against Cherokee, jumping out to a 22-2 lead in the first quarter and holding a 25-point halftime lead. Albany had three players finish in double figures, led by Chapman’s 17 points Roberson added 13 and Tabor 10.
HASKELL 41, ALBANY 20
ALBANY – Kiana Roberson 6, Briley Tabor 5, Callan Edgar 4, Caroline Holson 2, Caroline Chapman 2, Mimi Ivy 2, Avery Everitt 2.
Haskell 11 10 14 6 - 41
Albany 7 4 7 2 - 20
ALBANY 39, LOMETA 17
ALBANY – Kiana Roberson 16, Briley Tabor 8, Caroline Chapman 5, Kaisley Bartee 3, Braylyn Abbate 3, Callan Edgar 2, Caroline Holson 2.
Albany 5 9 7 18 - 39
Lometa 4 4 3 6 - 17
PRIDDY 39, ALBANY 36 OT
ALBANY – Kiana Roberson 23, Briley Tabor 5, Caroline Chapman 5, Mimi Ivy 2, Paige Crow 1.
Priddy 7 9 10 5 8 - 39
Albany 10 6 7 8 5 - 36
EARLY 43, ALBANY 36
ALBANY – Kiana Roberson 20, Caroline Holson 6, Callan Edgar 4, Caroline Chapman 4, Briley Tabor 2.
Albany 5 9 10 12 - 36
Early 5 11 12 15 - 43
ALBANY 48, CHEROKEE 27
ALBANY – Caroline Chapman 17, Kiana Roberson 13, Briley Tabor 10, Caroline Holson 6, Madison Parrott 4, Callan Edgar 4, Avery Everitt 3.
Cherokee 2 10 9 6 - 27
Albany 22 15 8 3 - 48
