Lions stay at top with 2 more district wins

The Lion basketball team won a barn burner at home last Friday over Stamford, coming out as the only undefeated team in the first half of the District 8-2A race.

Albany was on the road Tuesday in Roscoe, starting the second round with a 61-36 win. Details of the game will be reported next week.

The Lions will also be away on Friday, playing in Hawley with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off, followed by a home game next Tuesday, Feb. 5 against Haskell. The Lions will again follow the varsity girls with about a 7:30 p.m. start.

Playing before a packed house last Friday, The Lions and the visiting Stamford Bulldogs were both vying for the title of winner of the first round of district games. Albany fended off a last quarter run by the Bulldogs to earn a 56-49 win.

“This was a big game for us to end the first half of district,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “I thought we did some good things on offense, staying disciplined throughout the game and taking shots when we wanted.”

After jumping ahead 14-7 in the first quarter, the Lions let the visitors draw within two at the half, setting up a close second half.

“Late in the game we made some clutch free throws, drawing some important fouls,” the coach said. “I was really proud of the poise the guys showed late in the game after Stamford went on a big run. We stayed calm and let the game come to us.”

The coach commended the Lions’ defensive play as well, especially rebounds that took away Stamford’s first options in many cases.

Cameron Dacus, Josh Dyer, Ben West, and Coby Knight were named offensive standouts, with Dacus and Cutter Cowart tapped for defense.

West was credited with four three-pointers in the game, while Dyer sank five of six clutch free throws in the fourth quarter.

Albany 14 5 15 22 - 56

Stamford 7 10 12 20 - 49

Scoring were Dacus 13, Cowart 2, Dyer 11, West 12, Derek Isbell 7, and Knight 11.

The Lions also picked up up a win earlier last week in Cross Plains, 61-33.

“The guys did a good job of coming out strong and getting a big lead going into the half,” Peacock said. “We did a great job of moving the ball on offense, especially having to attack their zone defense and passing through it.”

The coach commended the team for playing well on defense.

“We had to make some adjustments, but overall I thought we did a good job of limiting their possessions and forcing tough shots,” he said.

Dacus and West were named defensive standouts, while Blaine Kayga, Dyer, Knight, and Isbell were tapped for offense.

Albany 25 19 10 7 - 61

Cross Plains 9 10 4 10 - 33

Scoring for Albany were Dacus 5, Cowart 4, Kayga 12, Dyer 10, Kade Everitt 5, West 7, Isbell 9, and Knight 9.

JV Results

The Lions won both games against district teams last week to improve to 3-2 in district.

The JV White defeated Cross Plains, 40-38.

“We started the game really slow and didn’t work the ball inside enough,” coach Rod Britting said. “They got a pretty good lead on us, but the guys didn’t panic and whittled away at it until we caught up to send the game into overtime.”

The JV won the game with a 4-2 win in overtime.

“Ryder Wilkins had a great second half on offense, and the guys really played hard on defense to catch up,” Britting said. 

Albany JV 5 3 15 13 4 - 40

Cross Plains 13 3 11 9 2 - 38

Scoring were Jackson Chapman 2, Everett McWhorter 7, Brooks Neece 2, Wilkins 19, Brayden Sullivan 4, Robert Bailey 3, and Seth Hale 3.

The JV also defeated Stamford on Friday, 40-34.

“We started off much better in this game, but we almost let them climb back into it after getting a big lead,” the coach said. “I talked to them about finishing strong and taking care of basics.”

The coach credited Wilkins with a big offensive game, along with McWhorter on defense.

Albany JV 8 13 12 7 - 40

Stamford 7 2 12 13 - 34

Scoring for the -Lions were Chapman 2, McWhorter 8, Neece 2, Wilkins 18, Cade Neve 6, Bailey 3, and Jeb Becker 1.

The JV Red also played last week, losing in Knox City 42-37 on Jan. 21.

“We played pretty good overall, but they hurt us with the press,” Britting said. “We got behind and had to play full court to try to make up the difference.”

Albany Red 10 5 13 9 - 37

Knox City 3 14 12 13 - 42

Scoring were Dillon Hindman 7, Jeb Becker 5, Brodey Jones 7, Malachi Gueldner 3, Jaheim Newton 12, and Taren Farmer 3.