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.

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.

The traditional playoff drum beating, preceded by a community pep rally at the Bank Park, will kick off the Athletic Booster Club’s special activities this week as the Albany Lions prepare for the regional final match-up with Wheeler.

In a game where the momentum shifts and keeping up with turnovers was dizzying, the Albany Lions pulled off a 38-28 area playoff win over Santo last Friday in Graham. Albany (7-5) advances to the regional playoff this Friday against the Wheeler Mustangs (8-3) at Vernon’s Lion Stadium.

The varsity Lady Lions split games against opponents just before the Thanksgiving break. Albany lost their game in Ballinger on Nov. 19, but beat Munday at home on Nov. 20. The team returned to action this week, traveling to Hamlin on Tuesday and ending up with a close 33-37 loss.

The three Albany Cubs basketball teams made a clean sweep of games at home on Monday against Cross Plains. The Cubs will travel to Stamford on Dec. 3 for a set of games starting at 5:30 p.m. The 8A boys crushed Cross Plains 46-27 on Monday at home.

The District 6-A volleyball all-district team members have been chosen, and six Lady Bulldogs were honored, including Johnnie Hise who won one of the superlative awards. Freshman Johnnie Hise was named the district’s Newcomer of the Year.

Even though the Moran Bulldogs did not advance into post-season play this year, over half of the varsity team members were recognized by the district coaches for their performance on the gridiron by being named to the all-district football team.

The girls junior high basketball teams traveled to Haskell and Cross Plains for games over the last week and a half. All three teams lost in Haskell on Nov. 19 and split games against Cross Plains on Monday, Nov. 26. The 7A team beat Cross Plains 42-6.

Albany fans are invited to join in several of the activities planned by the Albany Athletic Booster Club to help motivate the Lions to be at the top of their game for Friday’s playoff bout with the Santo Wildcats at Newton Field in Graham.  Kickoff for the area game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.