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.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions faced their first serious challenge of the postseason and responded in an overwhelming manner.

Trailing by three late in the second quarter of their Class 2A Division II area playoff against the Muenster Hornets, the ­Lions quickly regained the lead and rolled to a 56-10 victory on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Graham’s Newton Field.

Albany (10-2) advances to the regional round to take on the fourth-ranked Wink Wildcats at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at San Angelo Stadium.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions dropped a pair of games last week in their first  road outings of the basketball season, and they had two more games this week before the Thanksgiving break.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Albany lost 61-12 at Gordon. That was followed Friday, Nov. 18, by a 35-29 loss at Roby in a game that was a late addition to the schedule.

On Monday, Nov. 21, the Lady Lions hosted Seymour, followed Tuesday, Nov. 22 by a road game at Gorman. Because of early deadlines, those results will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs played Cisco on Monday with the girls at home and the boys on the road.

Because of early deadlines, those results will be reported next week.

The junior high teams return from Thanksgiving break Monday, Nov. 28 to take on Hawley. The Lady Cubs will again be at home with the Cubs on the road. Games start at 5:30 p.m. at both locations.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs split their two outings last week, while the Bulldogs boys team tipped off its basketball season.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Lady Bulldogs dropped a 30-24 decision to Blanket, but bounced back to beat Mullin 43-13 on Friday, Nov. 18, for their first win of the season.

Also on Friday, the boys lost to Mullin 37-27.

All games were played at Moran.