Youth league to play in tourneys

By Sam Waller

The Albany youth basketball teams wrapped up their regular seasons Saturday, Jan. 28, getting five wins and a tie in games played at Hawley and Merkel.

The teams will take part in postseason tournaments Saturday, Feb. 4, at Eula. All four brackets will have six teams with all teams guaranteed two games.

Sixth Grade Girls

At Merkel, the sixth grade girls split their two games, losing to Eula 25-20 before beating Hawley 21-4.

Against Eula, Hailey Gleitz led Albany with nine points. Keeley Britting scored four points with Tinley Hefner, Mackenzee Roysdon, and Avery Gleitz scoring two apiece and Sawyer Shoaf adding one.

Against Hawley, Hefner led the scoring with 13 points. Britting scored four with Kynlee Milligan and Kaylee Sanchez each scoring two.

“Haiden Niell and Harlee Mark really hustled and went after the ball defensively,” coach Susan Britting said.

For the tournament, Albany earned a bye and will face the Eula-Hawley Maroon winner in the semifinals at 11:00 a.m. Albany will then play in either the third-place game at 12:40 or the championship at 1:30 p.m.

Fifth Grade Girls

At Merkel, Albany’s fifth grade girls edged Eula 8-6 before losing to Jim Ned Red.

Against Eula, Karter Thompson, Presley Rosales, Kimberly Howe, and Loralie Balliew each had two points. Details of the second game were not available.

In the tournament, Albany has a bye to the semifinals and will play the Merkel White-Eula Maroon winner at 11:00 a.m. The team will then play for third place at 12:40 p.m. or the championship at 1:30 p.m.

Sixth Grade Boys

At Hawley, Albany swept its two games, defeating Hawley 40-8 and Jim Ned Blue 32-16.

Against Hawley, Lyle Wheeler scored 18 points, and Blake Britting added 16. Ace Townson scored four points, and Sam Tidwell added two.

Against Jim Ned Blue, Wheeler led Albany with 17 points. Britting scored six, with Levi Murphy and Sam Tidwell adding four each and Ben Russell one.

In the tournament, Albany has a bye to the semifinals and will play the Jim Ned Blue-Eula winner at 4:50 p.m. The local team will then play for third place at 6:30 p.m. or the championship at 7:20 p.m.

Fifth Grade Boys

The fifth grade boys team downed Hawley 19-7 before playing Merkel White to an 11-11 tie.

Against Hawley, Luke Smith led Albany with six points. McCoy Vaughn and Tusi Togia each scored four points while Patton Smith and Tank Johnson added two apiece, and Matthew Key had one.

Against White, Cooper Roysdon scored four points, and Luke Smith added three. Johnson and Paxton Slaughter each scored two points.

Albany and Merkel White will have a rematch in the first round of the tournament at 3:10 p.m. The winner advances to the semifinals against Jim Ned at 4:50 p.m., while the loser will play Merkel Purple or Hawley for fifth place at 5:40 p.m.

If Albany reaches the semifinals, it is guaranteed a third game, either for third place at 6:30 p.m. or the championship at 7:20 p.m.