In The Running
By Donnie A. Lucas
The varsity Lady Lions split district games last week with Stamford and Roscoe, then won a big victory in Hawley on Tuesday to bump their district record up to 3-1.
Albany defeated the Lady Bearcats on Tuesday, 40-27, with one game remaining in the first round of district. Details of the game were not available at press time, but will be reported next week.
The JV did not play Tuesday because of illness but will hopefully be back on the court this Friday when the local teams host Haskell to end the first half of district. The JV is set to begin at 4:00 p.m., with the varsity starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Lady Lions will also be at home on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to host Cross Plains as the second half of the district race gets underway. The JV will play at 4:00 p.m. and the varsity will take the court at 6:30 p.m.
Morales Performance
Albany senior guard Jaleigh Morales was named to two different Top 10 Players of the Week lists this week.
Both the Abilene Reporter-News and Big Country Preps picked Morales after her performances in the Roscoe and Stamford games.
She had a combined 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, six deflections, and seven steals, according to coach Tate Thompson.
Varsity Details
The Lady Lions suffered their first district loss at home on Jan. 14 against Stamford, dropping the bout 43-40 after coming back from an early deficit.
“We had a very slow start, with Stamford jumping out to an 18-4 lead in the first quarter,” Thompson said. “Most kids would have probably just given up, but I’m so thankful to coach kids who have such a competitive nature. They buckled down and chipped away to outscore Stamford the rest of the game.”
Morales was picked as the offensive standout, while Torie Fuentes was the defensive player picked by the coach.
“Despite the loss, I am so proud of these girls for the character that they showed by making that comeback,” the coach said. “Stamford outsized us, but our girls didn’t back down.”
Albany 4 11 15 10 - 40
Stamford 18 8 13 4 - 43
Scoring for the Lady Lions were Fuentes 10, Alli Hill 5, Tana Thompson 1, Morales 15, and Sarah Cotter 9.
The varsity got back on the winning side with a 51-28 rout in Roscoe last Friday.
“The girls came out and took care of business,” Thompson said. “Anytime you can get a dominating win like that on the road, it is a good thing.”
Morales was again the offensive leader, while Cotter was picked on the defensive side.
Albany 12 18 11 10 - 51
Roscoe 11 3 7 7 - 28
Scoring were Fuentes 8, Cydney Nelson 4, Hill 4, Traci Isbell 5, Thompson 1, Carley Green 6, Morales 19, Cotter 4.
JV Girls Results
The JV girls also split games last week, losing to Stamford and defeating Roscoe.
The squad lost to Stamford 39-23.
“The girls kept the game really close in the first half,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “We only have five girls playing, so they never got a break, and Stamford pressed the entire game.”
She added that she was proud of the team for never giving up.
“The girls rebounded well and played good man-to-man defense,” she said.
Albany 3 13 3 4 - 23
Stamford 4 14 9 12 - 39
Scoring were Briley Tabor 4, Chelsy Parsons 2, Presley Green 6, Lizzie Chavez 9, and Gracie Price 2.
The JV won in Roscoe on Friday, 20-16.
“The girls effort was great the entire game, and they came back from behind in the fourth quarter to win the game,” Reneau said. “Everyone contributed offensively, and the girls were very excited to get their first district win.”
The JV has a 2-5 overall record, including 1-2 in district.
