By Sam Waller

Albany’s youth basketball teams continued their season on Saturday, Jan. 29, with boys teams playing at Jim Ned and girls teams playing at Hawley.

The teams of fifth and sixth graders wrap up their season on Saturday, Feb. 5.

Sixth Grade Boys

On Saturday, Jan. 29, Albany’s sixth grade boys team coached by Clint Chapman defeated Merkel 39-16 and beat Hawley 48-11.

Against Merkel, Aiden Vickers scored 18 points and Clay Chapman added 15. Bennett Neece, Graham Ceder, and Cash Edgar scored two points apiece.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions tennis program enjoyed a strong start to the season Tuesday, Feb. 1, winning three of five draws at the Early Invitational.

Two of the divisions were all-Albany finals. Sarah Cotter defeated Sidney Russell in girls singles, while Ella Webb and Susie Cormack took the girls doubles title over Abi Hale and Chloe Daugherty.

The mixed doubles team of Jaci Chapman and Mikey Hernandez claimed Albany’s third win.

A third girls doubles team reached the semifinals with Leddie Leech and Robyn Trail finishing fourth.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs wrapped up their basketball seasons this week, participating in tournaments on Saturday, Jan. 29, before playing season finales against Stamford on Monday, Jan. 31.

The seventh and eighth grade boys played at the Breckenridge tournament on Saturday, while the Lady Cubs took a combined team to a Guthrie tournament.

On Monday, the girls played at home, while the boys visited Stamford.

Eighth Grade Boys

By Sam Waller

Postseason honors keep pouring in for the Albany Lions football team with six players recognized on the Abilene Reporter-News’ All-Big Country team.

Running back Jaheim Newton was named Player of the Year on the publication’s Class 2A team and earned a first-team spot on the Super Team, which includes players from all classifications.

By Sam Waller

Celebration was in the air Friday night, Jan. 28, and the Albany Lady Lions added to the mood with a 50-36 victory against Hamlin for their first District 10-2A win.

Albany opened the week on Tuesday, Jan. 25, with 45-36 loss at Hawley.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Lady Lions lost 67-17 at Cisco. Albany (3-17 overall, 1-9 district) hosts Anson on Friday, Feb. 4, in its final home game of the season.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions split two games last week and won a nail-biter on Tuesday, keeping themselves in contention for a playoff berth out of District 10-2A.

On Jan. 25, Albany lost 58-48 at Hawley, but bounced back on Friday, Jan. 28 to beat Hamlin 64-7 at home. The game was preceded by a Senior Night ceremony honoring senior Luke Ivy.

Then on Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Lions upset Cisco 47-43, leading most of the game and holding off a Cisco rally. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs picked up their second District 13-1A victory last week to split two home games.

The Lady Bulldogs lost 68-26 to Eula on Tuesday, Jan. 18, but held off Rising Star 42-38 on Friday, Jan. 21.

Meanwhile, the Moran boys team lost 86-30 to Eula, then fell agonizingly short in a 47-45 loss to Rising Star.

The Bulldogs played at Cross Plains on Monday, Jan. 24 in a game postponed from Friday, Jan. 14. Results were not available at press time and will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s youth basketball teams have faced scheduling issues through the first three weeks of their season, but competition is ongoing.

Teams of fifth and sixth graders have played two weekends, but games on Saturday, Jan. 15 were cancelled and likely will not be made up, according to league organizers.

Albany’s sixth grade girls team, which has just six players, has yet to play a game because of illness.

The sixth grade boys and fifth grade boys and girls have each played two weekends.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams had a busy week with games on Thursday, Jan 20, against Hawley and Monday, Jan. 24 against Haskell.

The seventh and eighth grade boys teams will compete in the Breckenridge tournament on Saturday, Jan. 29, while the girls will send one team to the Guthrie tournament.

The junior high teams will close out their schedules against Stamford on Monday, Jan. 31. The girls teams will be at home with the boys on the road.

Eighth Grade Boys

By Sam Waller

Seven members of the Albany Lions football team received recognition on the All-Big Country Preps football team after helping Albany advance to the Class 2A Division II state semifinals.

Running back Jaheim Newton, offensive lineman Zane Waggoner, and defensive lineman Taren Farmer were all named to the website’s second team. Quarterback Cole Chapman, offensive lineman Monte Cauble, and linebacker Brooks Neece were honorable mention.