By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions basketball teams opened the season last Friday in Hermleigh, dropping the game 51-24.

Albany was scheduled to be back on the local court on Saturday against Huckabay, but the game was been cancelled because of the volleyball playoffs, according to coach Tate Thompson.

The Lady Lions are also on the schedule to host Rule on Tuesday, Nov. 17 starting at 5:00 p.m.

Currently, the Lady Lions are able to put a combined team on the floor since several players are still involved in volleyball.

By Donnie A. Lucas

In a five-set game that saw several momentum swings, the Lady Lions defeated Miles in a Class 2A Region I area bout, breaking an eight-year drought of advancing past the second round of the volleyball playoffs.

The Lady Lions (20-4) were scheduled to face the Coleman Lady Bluecats today, but Coleman was forced to forfeit the game on Wednesday morning. According to Coleman school officials, a spike in COVID cases forced cancellation of extracurricular activities for two weeks.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion football team ended the regular season with a 35-0 win over the visiting Cross Plains Buffaloes in a game to determine the district champion.

The Lions sewed up the District 8-2A Div. II crown with their fourth shutout against a district foe, ending the regular part of their schedule with an 8-1 record, including 5-0 in district.

Albany is open this week, the final week in regular season action, but will be paired against Chico in the bi-district round of the playoffs to be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 in Graham.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The seventh and eighth grade Cub football team combined forces last week for the season finale in Cross Plans, bringing home a 33-0 win.

Ashton Bailey scored on the Cubs’ first offensive play, running the ball 55 yards for the touchdown. Bailey also kicked the PAT to put the Cubs ahead 7-0.

Dalton Richards scored next on a six-yard carry to take the lead to 13-0. The extra point attempt failed.

Quarterback Branson Beal scored on a 60-yard keeper, pushing the lead to 19-0. The PAT failed.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Four Albany High cross country track runners competed at the district meet in Anson last week, ending the season.

“Although we didn’t have anyone advance on to regionals, a couple of the girls shaved more than a minute off of their times from two weeks ago when they ran the same course,” coach Tate Thompson said. “All four of the girls are either freshmen or sophomores, so they gained some great experience that they will take with them for next year.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The JV Lion football team lost its first game of the season last week in Tuscola, playing to a 34-19 loss to the Jim Ned JV.

The Lions will end the 2020 season on Thursday (today) at home against the Wylie sophomore team starting at 4:00 p.m.

“Jim Ned had a good team,” coach Rod Britting said. “We played them a hard-fought game with four turnovers. Ultimately, we made more mistakes than they did.”

The coach said that the Lions failed to stop the Indians on a couple of key third down situations.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lion basketball team traveled to Coleman on Saturday for a pair of scrimmages, winning both season warm-up games.

The Lady Lions will be on the road Friday, Nov. 6 for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off in Hermleigh to open the regular season.

“We were able to add this game earlier this week,” coach Tate Thompson said. “Our schedule will be a little fluid while volleyball playoffs are still going.”

The coach said that he was pleased with what he saw at Coleman during the scrimmages.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion varsity football team got a rough start in Santo last Thursday, allowing the Wildcats to go ahead by two touchdowns before rallying to earn a 34-14 victory in district play.

The Lions (7-1, 4-0) will face Cross Plains in the regular season finale that will determine the District 6-2A title and playoff berths.

The visiting Buffaloes are also sporting a 7-1 overall record and are 3-0 in district by virtue of a forfeit by Ranger last week.

Cross Plains will still have a make-up game to play against Meridian next week.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lady Lions volleyball team ended the regular season last Saturday with a win over Rising Star, and the girls are now preparing for the Class 2A playoffs.

Albany will play a rematch against Miles in the area playoff  round on Monday, Nov. 2 at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.