Jr. high teams win 4 of 5 games against Anson
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs hit the midway point of their season Monday, Dec. 12 by winning four of five games against Anson.
The games were the last of 2022 for the junior high teams, who now have a month off for the holiday break. Albany returns to action Thursday, Jan. 12, against Cisco with the boys teams at home and the girls teams on the road.
The Lady Cubs will host the Albany tournament Saturday, Jan. 14.
In Monday’s games, the Cubs pulled out a pair of one-point victories to sweep the three home games. The combo team rallied to win 14-13, the seventh grade rolled to a 34-11 victory and the eighth grade held on to win 19-18.
At Anson, the Lady Cubs Red team won 22-9, while the White team lost 18-15.
BOYS
Eighth Grade
Albany held on despite not scoring in the fourth quarter, successfully challenging Anson’s final shot.
Zane Green led the Cubs with six points, followed by Sam Vickers with five and Jack Nail with four. Wesley Gleitz and Colter Edgar scored two points apiece.
After playing to a 4-4 tie in the first quarter, Albany pulled ahead to lead 13-9 at halftime. The Cubs took a 19-14 lead into the fourth quarter before going cold.
Seventh Grade
The seventh grade Cubs remained undefeated, jumping out to a big lead. Albany led 8-0 after one quarter and upped the margin to 20-5 at halftime.
Clay Chapman led the Cubs with 14 points, with Graham Ceder adding 10. Aiden Vickers scored six points, and Jakobi Roberson put in four.
Combo Team
Rowdy New hit a free throw with no time remaining as Albany came from behind to earn the win.
Albany trailed 10-4 at halftime, but outscored Anson 10-3 in the second half.
Judson Rodgers and Jacob Knight each scored four points for Albany. New and Shooter Shoaf scored three apiece.
GIRLS
Red Team
The Lady Cubs used defense to overcome a slow start with a big second quarter. Down 4-1 in the first quarter, Albany stormed back to take a 13-5 halftime lead.
“The defense was so fun to watch in this game, especially when we would go into man,” coach Jamie Wilson said. “Charlee Hefner had a ton of steals throughout the game, which led to a bunch of fast breaks and scores. With the help of Zayne Lefevre, these two led us to a victory.”
Lefevre scored eight points, six coming in the second quarter. Hefner finished with seven. Tatum Grady added five points, and Hattie Braly scored two.
White Team
The Lady Cubs stayed close the entire game, but couldn’t overcome a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Anson led 7-6 after one quarter and 10-8 at halftime. The Lady Tigers took a 16-13 edge into the fourth quarter.
“Our defense was better this game and is improving overall,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “I’m very proud of the girls and their efforts this week; we just came up a little short.”
Charli Trail led Albany with a game-high nine points. Brooke Richards, Finlee Brown, and Leah Glick scored two apiece.
