High school girls’ basketball on hold pending volleyball playoffs
By Sam Waller
The start of the Albany Lady Lions’ basketball season is on hold pending the volleyball team’s run in the playoffs, coach Tate Thompson said.
Under UIL rules, girls were allowed to begin practicing Wednesday, Oct. 19, with the first scrimmage date being Saturday. Oct. 29. Girls may begin playing games on Friday, Nov. 4.
However, player availability will be an issue until Albany volleyball concludes its season.
“Everything has a big question mark right now, honestly,” Thompson said. “Will we have JV or no JV; when we can start? I’ll have to wait until volleyball is over before I can do anything at all.”
The Lady Lions went 3-18 last season, tying Hamlin for fifth place in district at 1-9. Albany began the season with 10 players and did not play a JV schedule.
The good news is just two seniors – Avery Kleiner and Lizzie Chavez – were lost to graduation. The bad news is Albany will still be a young team with guard Briley Tabor the only returning senior.
Also expected back are junior post Kiana Roberson, last season’s leading scorer and rebounder, and sophomore forward Caroline Holson, one of three freshmen on the team last year. Last year’s roster also included Braylyn Abbate, who missed most of the season with an injury, Callan Edgar, Avery Everitt, and Chyanne Thomas.
Roberson, Holson, Edgar, and Abbate play volleyball, while Tabor was a regional qualifier in cross country.
Albany will again compete in District 10-2A against Anson, Cisco, Hamlin, Haskell, Hawley, and Stamford. Last year, Stamford won the district title and advanced to the state tournament, beating Haskell in the regional quarterfinals. All four playoff teams advanced at least one round with Cisco joining Stamford and Haskell in reaching the third round.
Junior High
The Albany Cubs and Lady Cubs will tip off their seasons Monday, Nov. 14 against Abilene Christian.
The girls will visit ACS with the boys playing at home. Game times for both start at 5:30 p.m.
