The last couple of weeks were tough ones for the Moran basketball teams, with several losses reported and only one win. 

However, the majority of the season still lies ahead, with varsity district games not starting until Friday, Jan. 4 in Gordon, when the Lady Bulldogs hit the court at 6:00 p.m. 

The high school boys start their district run one week later, hosting Baird to an 8:00 p.m. tip-off on Friday, Jan. 11.

This Friday the ’Dawgs travel to Highland for a 1:00 p.m. non-district match.

Overcoming an 0-5 start in what may be the worst pre-district record of any team to make it to the fifth round of the playoffs, the Lions are now among the final four Class 2A Div. II teams left standing as they head into the state semifinal game on Thursday.

Albany won a rematch with district foe Hamlin, 41-28, last week to take the quarterfinal trophy and end the Pipers’ season at 12-2.

Albany (9-5) will face Gruver (13-1) on Thursday in Plainview’s Greg Sherwood Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.

The JV Lion basketball team hosted a 16-team tournament last week, but games on Saturday were called due to the threat of icy weather.

The teams competed on Thursday, but didn’t come back for the second day of games on Saturday.

The JV will travel to Jacksboro on Saturday for a one-day tourney, then host the Abilene Hawks on Tuesday, Dec. 18 starting at 5:00 p.m. in the ancillary gym.

The Albany Cubs swept all three games against the Roscoe boys on Monday at home, while the girls lost two out of three on the road in Roscoe.

The boys will host the Abilene Hawks on Monday, Dec. 17 starting at 5:00 p.m. with the seventh grade. The eighth grade will follow at about 6:00 p.m. There will not be a B team game.

The girls are off for the Christmas break, resuming action on Jan. 10 in Hawley.

The 8A boys defeated Roscoe 44-20.

Last week the Moran Bulldogs were third at the Woodson tournament on Saturday, Dec. 1, beating the Albany JV 40-24, losing to Newcastle 36-53, and rebounding to defeat Anson JV 66-24.

On Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 6-8 the ’Dawgs played in the Rochelle Tournament.

They squeaked by the host team 42-40. Other results were not available at press time.

Clawing back from a 14-point deficit, the Lions mounted a second-half assault that steamed rolled over the Wheeler Mustangs, 48-27, in the regional playoff in Vernon last Friday to set up a quarterfinal rematch.

Albany (8-5) will face off for the second time this season against the Hamlin Pied Pipers (12-1) for the quarterfinal at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. with the Lions serving as the home team. Tickets are $5 per person, with the usual passes honored.

Both the varsity and JV Lady Lions were busy last week, getting in a lot of court time at area tournaments.

The varsity played for the championship at the Dublin tournament, coming in second behind Goldthwaite.

The JV girls swept the Woodson tournament to win the title by defeating Anson’s JV.

Both teams were idle on Tuesday, with the varsity playing in the Breckenridge Tournament on Thursday through Saturday.

The junior high basketball teams fared well against Stamford on Monday, with the girls and boys both winning two out of three games.

The Cubs and Lady Cubs will play Roscoe next Monday, with the boys hosting and the girls on the road. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

The 7A girls defeated Stamford 30-19 at home on Monday.

“I really thought the girls hustled well against Stamford,” coach Lauren Peacock said. “We created some turnovers to lead by 10 at the half. They played really hard and are starting to see the floor and make good passes.”

The JV Lion basketball team opened the season at the Woodson tournament last week, winning one out of three games.

The JV will host a 16-team tournament starting Thursday, which will continue on Saturday. Albany will open with a game against Early at 9:00 a.m., followed by a bout with Baird on Thursday at 11:20 p.m. On Saturday the JV will play Cross Plains at 1:40 p.m. and the Sweetwater freshmen at 4:00 p.m.

The Moran varsity Bulldogs dropped their basketball season opener in Gustine last Tuesday, Nov. 27.

The ’Dawgs kept it close in the first quarter before pulling ahead to lead 29-27 at intermission. But the Tigers clawed their way back in the second half, and came out on top with a final score of 56-47.

The Bulldogs played in the Woodson tournament last weekend and then traveled to Highland on Tuesday, Dec. 4 for a 7:30 p.m. match. 

The first game in the Woodson tournament matched the Bulldogs against Albany’s JV Lions.