Lions’ basketball run ends at area
The Lion basketball team played even for three of four quarters against Sundown Friday, but couldn’t make up for a 10-point spread in the second that signaled the end of the season with a 53-41 loss in the Region I area playoff at Colorado City.
Albany defeated Christoval 46-43 for a bi-district win earlier in the week at Bangs, advancing on to the area round of the Class 2A playoffs, finishing out the season with a 13-6 record.
“We allowed Sundown to make a run on us in the second quarter that proved to be the difference in the game,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “I thought we played very well. Defensively, we forced them to take the shots we wanted them to take, but it was just that run in the second that cost us in the end.”
The coach commended the team for a successful season.
“This group has a lot to be proud about,” he said. “They overcame the loss of one of their teammates, with each one of them rising to the occasion and picking up their level of play. I’m very proud of the way they finished.”
The coach named Coby Knight and Ben West as offensive standouts.
“Coby and Ben did a great job of stepping up and making some big baskets,” he said.
West led with 12, followed by Knight with 11. Also scoring were Cameron Dacus 6, Blaine Kayga 4, B.J. Morris 2, Joshua Dyer 4, and Derek Isbell 2.
Albany 10 13 4 14 - 41
Sundown 8 23 5 17 - 53
Albany defeated Christoval in the bi-district round, 46-43, on Feb. 19. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Coleman, but a power outage caused it to be moved to Bangs.
“We came out and played really well in the first half on both ends,” Peacock said. “We struggled in the second half to get anything going on offense, but we did a good job on defense, keeping them off the glass and forcing some tough shots.”
The coach said the team was plagued by turnovers in the game.
“We made this a much closer game than it needed to be by turning the ball over late in the game,” he said.
Dacus was named the offensive standout, sinking 14 points for the Lions. Also scoring were Cutter Cowart 9, Morris 2, Dyer 6, West 7, Isbell 6, and Knight 2.
Albany 18 13 7 8 - 46
Christoval 6 13 9 15 - 43
