Lions open 2nd half with 2 wins
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion basketball team opened the second half of District 10-2A competition last week with a 58-50 win over Hawley, avenging the 51-50 loss to the Bearcats in the first half of the district schedule.
The Lions continued with a win this week in Hamlin on Tuesday, 79-52, improving to 6-2 in district.
Albany will host the district-leading Cisco Loboes on Friday. The JV boys will play at 6:00 p.m. in the auxiliary gym, while the varsity will play at 7:15 p.m. in the main gym following the varsity girls.
The team will be on the road again next Tuesday, Feb. 2 in Anson. Tip-off for the JV will be 6:00 p.m., with the varsity game following.
“The guys put together a good game against Hawley from start to finish,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “We did a good job of moving the ball and finishing around the baskets, while the outside guards hit some big shots down the stretch.”
The coach named Adam Hill and Cole Chapman as offensive standouts, along with Luke Ivy for defense.
“Cole and Adam did a good job inside tonight,” he said. “Defensively, I thought we rebounded well and came up with some big steals that led to transition offense.”
The coach said he was pleased to pick up a win to start the second half of district.
Albany 15 10 14 19 - 58
Hawley 8 15 10 17 - 50
Scoring for Albany were Barrett Beal 6, London Fuentes 9, Coy Lefevre 7, Cole Chapman 16, Everett McWhorter 2, Adam Hill 15, and Luke Ivy 3.
The JV Lions dropped both games last week, losing in Rule on Tuesday and at home on Friday to Hawley.
The JV fell 46-33 to Rule’s varsity on Jan. 19.
“We really didn’t play very well,” coach Rod Britting said. “We got out-rebounded on both ends of the floor. When your shots don’t go in, you have to be able to get the ball back.”
Lute Wheeler was picked as the offensive standout, along with Keatin Russell and Lanxton Viertel on defense.
Albany 2 12 7 12 - 33
Rule 12 8 11 15 - 46
Scoring for the JV were Houston Heatly 6, Keatin Russell 3, Brayden Watson 2, Lute Wheeler 10, Lanxton Viertel 9, and Zach Parrott 2.
The JV also lost to Hawley, 38-27, last Friday.
“The guys really hustled well in this game,” Britting said. “It was one of our best games overall even though we came up short. They have some really athletic older guys playing for them.”
The coach said the team did a better job on defense and rebounding.
Lute Wheeler was named offensive standout, while Lanxton Viertel and Bryson Herring were picked for defense.
Albany 10 4 6 8 - 27
Hawley 12 6 8 12 - 38
Scoring were Houston Heatly 4, Andrew Leverton 1, Lute Wheeler 13, and Lanxton Viertel 6.
