The Cubs and Lady Cubs have been busy over the last week, playing two sets of games since returning from the Christmas break. The teams will play Cross Plains next Monday, with games starting at 5:30 p.m. in both locations.

The junior high Bulldogs recorded the lone win on the basketball court for Moran this week, but compared to last year, when low player numbers coupled with injuries caused both high school teams to end their seasons early, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs are still playing and improving their skills.

The fifth and sixth grade youth basketball players opened the 2019 season at home last Saturday, with three of the local teams splitting games and one team winning both of their bouts.

The varsity Lion basketball team won three out of four rounds at the Windthorst tournament last week as they prepare for the opening of the district race.

The varsity Lady Lion basketball team opened district with a win over Cross Plains last week, then traveled to Stamford on Tuesday for the second league game.

The youth fifth and sixth grade basketball teams will play their first games of the season on Saturday, Jan. 12, with the four local teams competing in both the Albany High School gym and the Albany practice gym. Basketball games will take place every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs suffered defeat in both of their games over the Christmas break. Moran hosted Lueders-Avoca for an 11:00 a.m. match on Dec. 31, and the visiting Raiders left with a 46-22 victory. The varsity girls also dropped their first district bout on Friday, Jan.

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. 12.

The varsity and JV Lady Lions split games at home last week, both falling to the Goldthwaite Lady Eagles and then both beating the Throckmorton Lady Greyhounds. The teams have been idle for the Christmas break, but the varsity will resume action at a local tournament on Thursday and Friday.

The Lion varsity basketball team got off to a late but successful start last week, defeating the visiting Abilene Hawks. The Lions have had a week-long break for Christmas, returning to the court on Friday at the Windthorst Tournament. Albany is scheduled to play Vernon at 2:00 p.m.