Boys to start season Dec. 20

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions have delayed the start of basketball season as long as possible, but they are finally turning their attention to the court.

Just six days after playing for a state championship in football, the Lions tip off their season Tuesday, Dec. 20, with their District 10-2A opener  against Haskell at home.

Lions coach Ryder Peacock expects most of the varsity roster to be made up of athletes who were still playing football this week.

Albany News

District Underway

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions split a pair of home games last week, beating Abilene TLCA and falling to Clyde, in their final outings before the start of district play.

The Lady Lions opened their District 10-2A schedule Tuesday, Dec. 13, with a 71-27 loss to Cisco. Details will be reported next week.

Albany makes its second district outing at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at Hawley.

The third district game, which will be the final one before the holiday break, is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 at home against Haskell.

Albany dominates in semifinal game

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took a step that they’ve been waiting a year for, atoning for last season’s loss in the Class 2A Division II state semifinals, by beating New Home 53-25 on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl.

The Lions turned in another dominating performance in atoning for 2021’s 35-14 loss to Stratford, scoring touchdowns on six of their first eight possessions.

Moran teams record tourney wins

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs notched their second win of the season and the Bulldog boys recorded their first during a busy week, joining forces to host the Moran Holiday Tournament over the weekend.

The Moran teams resumed action Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Trent. Results will be reported next week. Both teams will take part in the Lueders-Avoca tournament Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Moran played a doubleheader at Paint Rock. The Lady Bulldogs lost 42-15, while the Bulldogs hung tough before falling 55-42.

Albany News

MISD students place at UIL meet

By Sam Waller

Moran placed fifth overall last week at the elementary and junior high district UIL academic meet held at Cross Plains.

Contests for writing and chess were conducted Wednesday, Nov. 9 on campus. Speaking events were contested Wednesday, Nov. 30, with other events held Thursday, Dec. 1.

Moran principal Jo Hise said Moran students competed well.

“We had a lot of individuals and several teams do well,” she said. “I’m really pleased with the results.”

Albany News

UIL Rules

By Sam Waller

If the Lions advance past their Class 2A Division II state semifinal playoff, the team and its fans face a quick turnaround for the state championship game.

The winners of the Albany-New Home and Mart-Burton semifinals will meet at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. The Class 2A Division II title game will follow the Class 1A state finals earlier in the day.

All details can be found at www.uiltexas.org/football/state/football-state-championships-spectator-information

Tickets

Albany News

Jr. high teams win 4 of 5

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams won four of five games against Hamlin on Monday, Dec. 5, with the girls sweeping at home and the boys winning two of three at Hamlin.

The junior high teams wrap up the first half of their season Monday, Dec. 12 against Anson. The boys teams will play at home starting at 5:30 p.m. The girls will play at Anson with start times to be determined.

JV Lions host local basketball tournament

By Sam Waller

Two Albany Lions basketball teams took part in the Albany JV Tournament last week with the JV winning two and the freshmen losing two.

Coach Ryder Peacock said the next basketball outings will probably not come until after Albany finishes its football season. The Lions are scheduled to open District 10-2A play Tuesday, Dec. 20 at home against Haskell.

Peacock said being able to field two teams allowed more players to get court time.

Girls win 5 of 7 in last week

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions basketball team surpassed their win total from last season in a busy, productive week, winning five of seven games.

The Lady Lions (6-5) began this week with a 50-17 win against Abilene TLCA on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at home.

In an addition to the original schedule, Albany will host Clyde at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

The Lady Lions got last week started on a positive note on Tuesday, Nov. 29 by winning 37-29 at Archer City.

Lions collect 5th trophy, advance to semifinal

By Sam Waller

The No. 6 Albany Lions showed the No. 7 Collinsville Pirates that it takes more than a high-powered offense to win in the playoffs.

Despite giving up season highs for points and yards allowed, the Lions dominated the Pirates in a 66-34 victory Friday, Dec. 2, in their Class 2A Division II state quarterfinal at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

The Lions (12-2) advance to the state semifinals for the second year in a row to take on a fast-rising New Home team at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 (tonight) at the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater.