By Sam Waller

The Albany Little Dribblers youth basketball program is preparing to take the next step in getting its 2023 season underway following the conclusion of player registration this week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell said he hopes to conduct a player draft on Sunday, Jan. 22.

“I want to get the numbers counted up and see how many coaches I need,” Tidwell said. “I’ve got several already, but if anybody’s interested, they can let me know.”

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions hit the midway point of the District 10-2A schedule last week with a pair of losses, but are still ahead of their pace from a year ago.

Albany (8-15 overall, 1-6 district) began the second round of 10-2A play Tuesday, Jan. 17, with a 75-25 loss at No. 17 Cisco. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions continued to work their way into basketball mode last week with a pair of District 10-2A wins.

The Lions (7-3 overall, 3-2 district) carried a five-game win streak into their Tuesday, Jan. 17 district showdown at Cisco, a 65-51 loss. Details will be reported next week.

Albany hosts Hawley at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 in a basketball matchup of schools that won state football championships last month, ending the first half of the district schedule for the boys .

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs’ first basketball outings of 2023 resulted in a pair of lopsided road losses last week, including their district opener.

The Lady Bulldogs returned to action Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted Rising Star for their first district home game. Results will be reported next week.

Moran visits May on Friday, Jan. 13 as part of a doubleheader that will include the boys district opener.

By Sam Waller

Registration for Albany’s Little Dribblers youth basketball program is wrapping up this week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell requests that registration forms and fees be returned by Friday, Jan. 13 if possible with a final deadline of Monday, Jan. 16.

Forms are available at Nancy Smith Elementary School. Registration fee is $30 per player.

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs resume their seasons following the Christmas break this week with the girls teams hosting a tournament in addition to their regular games.

On Thursday, Jan. 12 (tonight), Albany takes on Cisco with the boys at home and the Lady Cubs on the road.

Boys games will start at 5:30 p.m. with the combo team, followed by seventh grade at 6:15 p.m. and eighth grade at 7:00 p.m.

The girls White team will start at 5:30 p.m. with the Red team at 6:30 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany youth basketball teams tipped off their season Saturday, Jan. 7, winning five of eight games.

The boys teams played at Jim Ned with the girls at Hawley. The sixth grade boys won both their games, while the other teams each split their two outings.

The youth teams return to action Saturday with the girls playing at Jim Ned and the boys at Merkel. The sixth grade girls start the action at 9:00 a.m. against Hawley Maroon and then play Jim Ned Blue at noon. The fifth grade girls play Merkel Purple at noon and Merkel White at 1:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions picked up their first District 10-2A win last week, taking a step forward in the progress that was begun a year ago.

The Lady Lions (8-12 overall, 1-4 district) faced a stiff test Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted reigning district and regional champion Stamford, losing 60-24. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson on Friday, Jan. 13 to close out the first half of the district schedule. They will then travel down Highway 6 to Cisco to kick off the second half of district on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions claimed 10 spots on the Texas Hometown Football Class 2A Division II all-state team, including three by one player, after winning the program’s first state championship since 1961.

The all-state team was selected by the Texas Hometown Football Facebook page, which is devoted to promoting Texas UIL Class 1A, 2A, and 3A high school football, bands, and cheerleaders.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions returned from the holiday break last week to win twice by comfortable margins, evening their district record in the process.

Albany (now 6-2 overall, 2-1 District 10-2A) defeated Hamlin 66-29 on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in its first district road game, then topped Coleman 48-35 on Friday, Jan. 6 at home in the final nondistrict contest.

The Lions resumed district play Tuesday, Jan. 10, with a 56-47 win over Stamford at home. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson on Friday, Jan. 13.