Lions win last 2 games for 3-2 tally

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both the varsity and JV Lions basketball teams split games with district opponents last week, beating Anson but losing to Cisco.

Albany was on the road in Stamford Tuesday, Jan. 12, with the varsity winning an important game 65-44 to put their district record at 3-2.

Friday night’s games in Haskell this week will mark the beginning of the second half for the girls, while closing out the first half of district for the boys.

Games will start at 6:00 p.m. in Haskell with the varsity girls playing in the new competition gym. The JV boys will also begin at 6:00 p.m. in the second gym.

The schedule will flip with the varsity boys playing in the main gym at 7:15 p.m., while the JV girls will play in the secondary gym at the same time.

The varsity teams are scheduled for a district bye on Tuesday, Jan. 19, but the two JV teams will travel to play May in a non-district bout.

The varsity recorded a 60-46 win over Anson last Friday.

“We played well as a team and help create some offense for each other,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “We had a lot of assists and did much better at moving the ball to get our shots.’

Offensive standouts were Coy Lefevre, Cole Chapman, Barrett Beal, and Everett McWhorter, along with Luke Ivy and London Fuentes on defense.

“Coy had his best game of the year, while we were able to get production from several others,” the coach said. “Luke and London did a good job of keeping pressure on their best scorers. Overall, I thought the guys played well together, and we are looking for them to continue to build on this win.”

Albany 14 20 6 20 - 60

Anson 12 12 14 8 - 46

Scoring for the Lions were Beal 9, Fuentes 4, Lefevre 18, Chapman 12, McWhorter 8, Adam Hill 6, Ivy 3.

The Lions fell behind early against Cisco last Friday and never were able to close the gap in the 62-34 win by the Loboes.

“We couldn’t get anything to fall for us in this game,” Peacock said. “We got several good looks at the basket but couldn’t get anything to go.”

Cole Chapman was the lone standout named by the coach.

“Our shooting was below 20 percent and we were zero for 13 from the outside as a team,” the coach said. “It just wasn’t our night on the offensive end.”

Albany 13 2 13 6 - 34

Cisco 22 11 17 12 - 62

Scoring for the Lions were Beal 5, Fuentes 2, Lefevre 3, Chapman 15, McWhorter 2, Hill 3, and Caden Price 4.

JV Boys Results

The JV Lions lost for just the second time this season, falling to Cisco 34-23.

“We played a pretty good game overall,” coach Rod Britting said. “We didn’t make a lot of the easy shots we needed to win, but the guys played good defense.”

Keatin Russell and Lanxton Viertel were cited on offense, while Bryson Herring and Russell were tapped for defensive play.

Albany 3 6 6 8 - 23

Cisco 9 12 7 6 - 34

Scoring for the JV Lions were Houston Heatly 4, Russell 8, Brayden Watson 2. Lute Wheeler 2, and Viertel 6. 

The JV edged out Anson later in the week, 18-16.

“We played great defense and did a much better job of blocking out,” coach Britting said. “Defending with the pick and roll, we kept them away from the basket, but we have to start scoring more points.”

Russell and Wheeler were offensive standouts, with Cole Read and Andrew Leverton on defense.

Albany 5 8 2 3 - 18

Anson 0 4 4 8 - 16

Scoring for the Lions were Heatly 2, Russell 5, Wheeler 4, Herring 3, and Read 4.