Lions drop first basketball game

By Sam Waller

Just five days after the Albany Lions won the Class 2A Division II state championship in football, eight athletes moved to the basketball court for a late start to the next sports season.

With one short practice to get the team ready, Albany played its first basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 19, losing to Haskell 44-37 at home in the District with their District 10-2A opener for both teams.

Late starts are nothing new for Lions coach Ryder Peacock, who guided Albany to an 11-7 record last season after the football team reached the state semifinals. The Lions finished third in district before advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

Following their opener, the Lions immediately hit the semester break with a mandatory five-day dead period. Albany will compete in the Brownwood tournament Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 28-30, taking on De Leon at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Brownwood Coliseum.

Albany resumes district play Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Hamlin before hosting Coleman on Friday, Jan. 6 in a nondistrict game.