Varsity boys to start basketball Dec. 19

With no more reason to wait,theAlbanyLionsboys basketball team will start its season Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Haskell.

Junior varsity games will start at 4:00 p.m., followed by varsity girls and varsity boys.

This is the third year in a row the Lions varsity has opened its season with a district game because of deep runs in the football playoffs.

“You try not to overwhelm the guys with a lot of stuff early,” Lions head coach Ryder Peacock said. “You hope everything you’vedonesincetheywere in junior high gives them a good foundation so you’re not having to reteach.”

Peacock said he’s not worried about the team, whichisexpectedtoinclude several players coming from football, competing hard early on.

“You can’t coach them howtowin,”hesaid.“These guyshavehadanunbelievable football season, and we’ve preached a lot of that success in one translates to the other. We’ll build off the factthatthey’vebeeninthe system for five or six years and go compete.”

Varsity players from last year include seniors AdamHill,LukeMarshall, Lanxton Viertel, Brayden Watson, Lute Wheeler, and Wyatt Windham along with junior Branson Beal. All but Watson have been involvedinfootball,though Watson and Wheeler have gotten court time in JV games.

“It’s a different transition, but it’s good to have guysbackwhoknowwhat’s going on,” Peacock said. “I have some more who are acting like they may play. I hope they will.”

Albany’s first home game will be Tuesday, Jan. 2 against Hamlin.