Lions secure district title on senior night
The Albany Lions locked up the District 10-2A championship Friday night with a hard-fought 63–57 win over Cisco, closing out the title on senior night in an Albany gym that felt more like a playoff venue than a regular-season stop.
From the opening tip, the night carried a different energy. Fans packed both sides of the gym, student sections stood shoulder-to-shoulder, and Cisco supporters filled the visitor’s end, creating a loud, constant roar that never let up. The intensity only grew as the game unfolded, with every possession drawing a reaction from the crowd.
Cisco, the reigning district champion, set the tone early. The Loboes came out aggressive, shooting well and building a 10-point lead in the first quarter. Albany absorbed the early punch and settled in, chipping away at the deficit with steady defense and timely baskets. By halftime, the Lions had trimmed the lead to five and positioned themselves for a second-half push.
The turning point came in the third quarter. Albany surged over the final four minutes of the period, using defensive pressure and quick transitions to swing momentum. The Lions took the lead during the run and carried that edge into the fourth quarter, where the game tightened into a possession-by-possession battle.
Head coach Ryder Peacock said the atmosphere played a major role but credited his team’s composure.
“Cisco came in playing really well, and we knew they would,” Peacock said. “They jumped on us early, but our guys didn’t panic. They stayed together, responded, and handled the moment.”
The crowd remained fully engaged down the stretch as Cisco continued to press. Albany answered with key stops and timely scoring to maintain the lead and close out the win, drawing a loud celebration as the final horn sounded.
The victory capped senior night, with Albany honoring Chance Stewart, Brody Oliver, Aaden Mendez, manager Cade Fairchild, and Huffman Heatly before the game. Peacock said the mix of senior night emotions, a district championship on the line, and a long-standing rivalry created a special setting.
“You had everything going on at once,” Peacock said. “Senior night, a big rival, a championship on the line, and a packed gym. That’s what high school basketball is about.”
Blake Britting led Albany with 21 points, while Heatly added 15 and Stewart finished with 12.
With the win, Albany clinched the district title with two games remaining on the schedule. While the final district games against Anson and Hawley will not affect playoff seeding, Peacock said the Lions are not easing off.
“We want to finish strong,” he said. “Every game is another chance to get better and keep preparing for the postseason.”
Junior varsity
Albany’s junior varsity dropped a 46–33 decision to Cisco earlier in the evening, but Peacock said the game provided valuable experience in a challenging environment. With lineup adjustments and players stepping into expanded roles, the contest allowed younger athletes to log meaningful minutes against a physical, competitive opponent.
Peacock said the game created opportunities to evaluate development under pressure and gave players a chance to grow in game situations. With two games remaining, the junior varsity will continue focusing on improvement and preparation as the regular season concludes.
