By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady ­Lion basketball team took its lumps from a pair of playoff-bound opponents last week as the end of the season drew near.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Albany lost 67-17 at Cisco. On Saturday, Feb. 5, the Lady Lions dropped their final home game against Anson 64-21. Anson and Cisco entered the weekend tied for second place in District 10-2A.

Albany (8-18 overall, 1-9 district) closed out its schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 8, with a 81-16 loss at No. 13 Stamford, which had already clinched the district title.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions basketball team fashioned a pair of playoff-caliber performances last week, clinching a playoff berth and avenging District 10-2A losses in the process.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Lions upset district leader No. 23 Cisco 47-43 on the road, making up for a 55-50 home loss on Jan. 7. On Saturday, Feb. 5, Albany followed up with a 42-40 home victory over Anson, gaining a split with the Tigers following a 48-37 road loss on Jan. 11.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Lady Lions hope to get back to making a long playoff run after last two softball seasons ended earlier than expected.

The 2020 season was cut short and playoffs scrapped because of the pandemic. Last year saw the Lady Lions make an early exit with a bi-district loss to Anson.

This year, coach Jimmy Fuentes is looking to make up for lost opportunities.

Head football coach Denney Faith (r) shakes senior Luke Ivy’s hand after presenting him with a bronze medal during a special ceremony prior to basketball games last Friday. Albany reached the 2021 state football semifinals before losing to the eventual state champion.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs basketball team had a busy week last week, playing three District 13-1A games to make up for an earlier postponement, going on the road on consecutive days.

On Monday, Jan. 24, the Bulldogs lost 91-26 at Cross Plains in a game rescheduled from Jan. 14. On Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Bulldogs got back on the bus to visit May, losing 73-12. Moran hosted Baird on Friday, Jan. 28, losing 63-29.

The Albany Little Dribblers season will tip off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 with six girls games and four boys games.

Games will be played at both the main and auxiliary gyms at Albany High School. The program uses nine-foot goals.

The season will continue each Saturday through the end of February.

League organizer Joe Tidwell said 42 girls and 24 boys are signed up to play this season. Little Dribblers offers competition for boys and girls from age 8 through fourth grade.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s youth basketball teams continued their season on Saturday, Jan. 29, with boys teams playing at Jim Ned and girls teams playing at Hawley.

The teams of fifth and sixth graders wrap up their season on Saturday, Feb. 5.

Sixth Grade Boys

On Saturday, Jan. 29, Albany’s sixth grade boys team coached by Clint Chapman defeated Merkel 39-16 and beat Hawley 48-11.

Against Merkel, Aiden Vickers scored 18 points and Clay Chapman added 15. Bennett Neece, Graham Ceder, and Cash Edgar scored two points apiece.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions tennis program enjoyed a strong start to the season Tuesday, Feb. 1, winning three of five draws at the Early Invitational.

Two of the divisions were all-Albany finals. Sarah Cotter defeated Sidney Russell in girls singles, while Ella Webb and Susie Cormack took the girls doubles title over Abi Hale and Chloe Daugherty.

The mixed doubles team of Jaci Chapman and Mikey Hernandez claimed Albany’s third win.

A third girls doubles team reached the semifinals with Leddie Leech and Robyn Trail finishing fourth.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs wrapped up their basketball seasons this week, participating in tournaments on Saturday, Jan. 29, before playing season finales against Stamford on Monday, Jan. 31.

The seventh and eighth grade boys played at the Breckenridge tournament on Saturday, while the Lady Cubs took a combined team to a Guthrie tournament.

On Monday, the girls played at home, while the boys visited Stamford.

Eighth Grade Boys

By Sam Waller

Postseason honors keep pouring in for the Albany Lions football team with six players recognized on the Abilene Reporter-News’ All-Big Country team.

Running back Jaheim Newton was named Player of the Year on the publication’s Class 2A team and earned a first-team spot on the Super Team, which includes players from all classifications.