By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions showed flashes of good play last week against playoff contenders as the District 10-2A girls basketball race nears the final stretch.

The Lady Lions (8-17 overall, 1-8 district) visited Haskell on Tuesday, Jan. 24, losing 59-32. Details will be reported next week. Albany hosts Hamlin at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27.

Following an open date on Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Lady Lions will have two games remaining – Friday, Feb. 3 at Stamford and Tuesday, Feb. 7 against Anson at home.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys basketball team endured ups and downs last week, emerging with a split against District 10-2A leaders Cisco and Hawley to strengthen its position in the playoff race.

The Lions (9-3 overall, 5-2 district) began the second half of the 10-2A schedule Tuesday, Jan. 24, with a 45-38 win at Haskell. Details will be reported next week.

Albany will host Hamlin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs basketball teams are in full swing in District 13-1A play.

The Lady Bulldogs dropped district games against Rising Star, 28-17 on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and May, 52-9 on Friday, Jan. 13. The boys opened district against May with a 66-7 loss.

Moran opened a three-game homestand against Eula on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Results will be reported next week. The teams will also be at home Friday, Jan. 20 against Baird,and Tuesday, Jan. 24 against Cross Plains.

Girls Results

By Sam Waller

The Albany Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams returned from a month-long holiday break Thursday, Jan. 12, with games against Cisco before the girls hosted a one-day tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The teams have another Thursday date on Jan. 19 (tonight) against Hawley, with the girls on the road and the boys at home. Games at both locations start at 5:30 p.m.

Last week, the boys teams hosted Cisco with the girls on the road.

GIRLS

Red Team

By Sam Waller

Albany’s youth basketball teams enjoyed solid performances Saturday, Jan. 14 in their second outing of the season, winning seven of eight games with the only loss coming by one point in overtime.

In girls games played at Jim Ned, the sixth grade team defeated Eula 18-12 and Hawley Maroon 16-0. The fifth grade girls swept Merkel Purple 12-4 and Merkel White, 17-6.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Little Dribblers youth basketball program is preparing to take the next step in getting its 2023 season underway following the conclusion of player registration this week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell said he hopes to conduct a player draft on Sunday, Jan. 22.

“I want to get the numbers counted up and see how many coaches I need,” Tidwell said. “I’ve got several already, but if anybody’s interested, they can let me know.”

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions hit the midway point of the District 10-2A schedule last week with a pair of losses, but are still ahead of their pace from a year ago.

Albany (8-15 overall, 1-6 district) began the second round of 10-2A play Tuesday, Jan. 17, with a 75-25 loss at No. 17 Cisco. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions continued to work their way into basketball mode last week with a pair of District 10-2A wins.

The Lions (7-3 overall, 3-2 district) carried a five-game win streak into their Tuesday, Jan. 17 district showdown at Cisco, a 65-51 loss. Details will be reported next week.

Albany hosts Hawley at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 in a basketball matchup of schools that won state football championships last month, ending the first half of the district schedule for the boys .

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs’ first basketball outings of 2023 resulted in a pair of lopsided road losses last week, including their district opener.

The Lady Bulldogs returned to action Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted Rising Star for their first district home game. Results will be reported next week.

Moran visits May on Friday, Jan. 13 as part of a doubleheader that will include the boys district opener.

By Sam Waller

Registration for Albany’s Little Dribblers youth basketball program is wrapping up this week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell requests that registration forms and fees be returned by Friday, Jan. 13 if possible with a final deadline of Monday, Jan. 16.

Forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Registration fee is $30 per player.

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.