Lady Lions play for tourney title

Both the varsity and JV Lady Lions were busy last week, getting in a lot of court time at area tournaments.

The varsity played for the championship at the Dublin tournament, coming in second behind Goldthwaite.

The JV girls swept the Woodson tournament to win the title by defeating Anson’s JV.

Both teams were idle on Tuesday, with the varsity playing in the Breckenridge Tournament on Thursday through Saturday.

Albany will face Eastland on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. and Aubrey on Friday at 3:30 p.m. for pool games. The remainder of the team’s schedule will be determined by the outcome of the pool games.

The varsity was previously supposed to play in the West Texas Tournament in Stinnett, but canceled due to conflicts with the football playoff game this week.

The varsity will be in action on Tuesday, Dec. 11 against Ranger in the local gym, starting at 6:00 p.m., while the JV will host Merkel at 5:00 p.m., also here.

Varsity Plays for Title

The Lady Lions won three straight rounds at the Dublin tourney to make the championship game, beating Crawford, Breckenridge, and Tolar.

“This was a great tournament for us,” coach Tate Thompson said. “I was very proud of the girls for making it to the championship game.”

Albany lost to Goldthwaite 35-30 to end up as runner-up.

“We got down at the half, but came out strong in the third quarter to get back in the game,” Thompson said. “We were tied with two minutes left, but Goldthwaite just made a few more shots than we did.”

Junior Jaleigh Morales was named to the all-tournament team.

The coach said that the team improved through each of the four tournament games.

Scoring points for Albany in the championship game were Torie Fuentes 5, Jillian Guinn 2, Cydney Nelson 2, Alli Hill 7, Sara Beth Cotter 2, Jaleigh Morales 11, and Elia Hebel 3.

Morales was tapped as offensive standout and Fuentes was picked for defense.

The varsity edged out Crawford, 30-29, in the first round. Scoring were Fuentes 5, Guinn 3, Nelson 2, Hill 4, Cotter 2, Addie Beth Denton 2, Morales 11, and Hebel 1. Morales was selected as offensive standout, with Fuentes named for defense.

Albany beat Breckenridge, 41-36, in the second round on Thursday. Scoring were Fuentes 10, Guinn 4, Nelson 3, Hill 2, Cotter 2, Denton 2, Morales 11, and Hebel 7. Morales was the standout on offense, with Hebel on defense.

The biggest point spread for Albany came in game three, defeating Tolar, 47-23. Scoring were Fuentes 7, Guinn 11, Nelson 4, Hill 6, Cotter 2, Denton 1, Morales 11, and Hebel 6. Guinn was named offensive standout and Hill was selected for defense.

The Lady Lions also traveled to Hamlin on Nov. 27, losing to the Lady Pipers, 37-33.

Scoring were Fuentes 5, Guinn 7, Nelson 2, Cotter 3, Morales 14, and Hebel 2.

JV Wins Tourney

The JV won all three games at the Woodson tournament to take the trophy.

Sophomore Traci Isbell was named Tournament MVP, while freshmen Ansleigh Garcia and Sara Smith both were named to the First Team All-Tournament.

Albany defeated Moran’s varsity in the first game, 51-24.

“The girls showed great poise against a varsity team and did an outstanding job of flying around on the court creating turnovers and scoring,” coach Richard Sullivan said.

Scoring were Amber Leverton 4, Isbell 17, Smith 5, Tana Thompson 4, Elizabeth Chavez 9, Ana Balliew 2, and Garcia 10.

Standouts were Isbell, Chavez, and Garcia on offense, while Smith, Thompson, Balliew, and Leverton were named for defense.

The JV faced another varsity in the second round, beating Trent 45-37.

“That was a wild game,” Sullivan said. “We finished the game in a five on three skirmish after three of Trent’s players fouled out with five minutes remaining in the fourth.”

Scoring were Isbell 6, Smith 7, Thompson 12, Chavez 11, Balliew 1, and Garcia 8.

Albany faced off against Anson’s JV in the championship game, winning 32-30.

After jumping out to a six-point lead in the third, the girls held on for the win in the fourth.

Scoring were Isbell 10, Smith 11, Thompson 2, Chavez 4, and Garcia 5.

The JV also picked up a win on Nov. 27 against Hamlin, 24-21.

Scoring were Isbell 2, Smith 12, Chavez 2, and Garcia 8.