By Donnie A. Lucas
The varsity Lion basketball team went 2-2 at the local tournament held last week and also hosted a game Tuesday against the Abilene Hawks.
The Lions picked up a very close 37-36 win over the Hawks at home. Details of the game will be reported next week.
Albany will also host JV and varsity games on Friday against Graford starting at 5:00 p.m. with the JV. The varsity will follow at 6:30 p.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lady Lions split their final two district warm-up games last week in preparation to opening the District 8-2A race in Cross Plains on Friday.
The Lady Lions are set to travel to Cross Plains tomorrow for both JV and varsity games starting at 5:00 p.m.
Girls head coach Tate Thompson said that this is the first JV game to be scheduled in over a month due to injuries.
The varsity game will follow the JV district opener at 6:30 p.m.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The youth fifth and sixth grade basketball teams will play their first games of the season on Saturday, Jan. 11, with three of the four Albany teams competing here, and the fifth grade boys playing in Hawley.
The local tournament will involve both the Albany High School main gym and the practice gym.
Games will take place every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with two matches scheduled for each of the area teams playing in Albany this Saturday.
By Kathy Thomson
Signup is underway for Little Dribblers basketball and local boys and girls from eight years old through fourth grade are invited to join.
“Players must be at least eight years of age on Jan. 1,” said organizer Clint Chapman.
Parents need to complete, sign, and return the registration form along with the $30 entry fee to either the Nancy Smith Elementary School office or to Chapman by Wednesday, Jan. 22.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The eighth grade Cubs and Lady Cubs will travel to Cross Plains on Thursday (today) for games tipping off at 5:00 p.m.
The junior high teams have been idle since Dec. 16 prior to the Christmas break.
Only the two eighth grade teams will face off against Cross Plains since the Buffs only have one junior high team each for boys and girls.
By Kathy Thomson
The Lady Bulldogs played three basketball games over the last couple of weeks, winning in Newcastle on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and then dropping matches on Dec. 20 and Dec. 30.
Newcastle
Moran held on to a close 30-29 victory over the Lady Bobcats.
“The girls jumped out to an early lead and never gave it up,” said head coach John Hughes. “Newcastle made it interesting towards the end, but the girls showed some grit and got it done. They now have three wins, beating their total from last year.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lady Lions won a pair of games in the week before the Christmas break and have played several matches during the last week as basketball action resumed.
Albany hosted a four-team tournament last week, winning two out of three rounds as they continue to prepare for the opening of district.
The varsity was on the road to Goldthwaite on Monday, suffering a hard-fought 48-41 loss. Details will be reported next week due to an early deadline.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion basketball teams closed out the fall semester with a set of games in Comanche on Dec. 20, with the varsity falling short while the two JV squads posted victories.
The varsity will host six other area teams in a two-day tournament on Friday and Saturday, with games starting at 10:00 a.m. on both days.
Albany will play Winters on Friday in the first game, followed by a 12:40 p.m. match against San Saba.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Local fifth and sixth graders who signed up for local youth basketball teams have started practicing in preparation for the first tournament of the season on Jan. 11.
According to coach and league coordinator Clint Chapman, 37 students signed up for the four teams designated for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.
“The teams have already started practicing, so we will not be able to take any late registrations since those kids would already be too far behind,” Chapman said.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion football team earned a total of 25 spots on the 7-2A All-District teams, dominating the first team picks with 15 positions.
Albany only captured one superlative honor this season in deference to Hamlin winning the district race and the Lions coming in as the second place team for the first time in 12 seasons.
