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

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.

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.

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.

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.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams took on opponents from Cisco and Hawley the last two weeks, squeezing in their Thanksgiving break between games.

The local teams resume action Monday, Dec. 5 against Hamlin with the girls at home and the boys on the road. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

On Monday, Nov. 21 against Cisco at home, the Lady Cubs Red team lost 48-12, and the White team lost 35-6. In Cisco, the seventh grade boys won 31-19, the eighth grade lost 37-15, and the combo team lost 23-14.

By Sam Waller

The Albany JV Basketball Tournament will see teams from eight schools play 24 games over the weekend at the Albany gyms.

Albany will have freshman and JV teams competing, as will Breckenridge, Jim Ned, Graham, and Sweetwater. Cross Plains, Stamford, and Woodson JV teams are also entered.

Albany JV will play Breckenridge JV at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in the main gym. The Albany and Breckenridge freshmen will follow at 11:20 a.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions got in two games last week before the Thanksgiving holiday, falling to Seymour 44-33 on Monday, Nov. 21, at home before taking a 41-23 loss on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Gorman.

The Lady Lions returned from the holiday break Tuesday, Nov. 29 with a 37-29 win at Archer City. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions found a way to make plays when needed Saturday, Nov. 26 to defeat the No. 4 Wink Wildcats 35-18 in a Class 2A Division II regional playoff at San Angelo Stadium.

The No. 6 Lions (11-2) advance to the state quarterfinals to take on the No. 7 Collinsville Pirates at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

Saturday’s game was pushed back a day because snow and ice in the Permian Basin made travel conditions unsafe for Wink on Friday.

By Sam Waller

Registration for the Albany Little Dribblers fifth and sixth grade basketball teams closes Thursday, Dec. 1.

Registration fee is $35 per child and includes a team shirt.

Registration forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Completed forms  and the fee should be returned to the school or delivered to Clint Chapman by the deadline.

Practices will start after the registration process is complete.