Albany tops Wolverines in Class 2 District 16 Championship

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Albany Warriors had not won a district title since 2000, but that changed Friday night.

#1 Albany defeated #2 Maysville, 43-31, to win the Class 2 District 16 championship.

"It's great," Albany junior Jayden Hillyard said. "We've worked hard all year. We've been waiting for this moment. It's finally here."

The Warriors led by 10 at the break, 21-11, but the Wolverines closed the gap in the third quarter, 25-19. Just when it looked like Maysville was going to overtake Albany, the Warriors finished off the third quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 34-19.

In the fourth quarter, Maysville cut into the warriors lead with a 9-0 run of its own to make it 34-28. Albany, though, was able to keep its lead and finish off the game on a 9-3 run to win, 43-31.

Maysville senior Ashlyn Klippenstein had a game-high 17 points.

For the Warriors, they had three in double figures. Hillyard finished with 13 points. Albany sophomore twins, Kennedi and Maddix Epperly, both had 11 points.

Albany will play Class 2 District 15 champion, Barstow, on Monday at 7 p.m. at Benton High School in St. Joseph.

Of note, Albany assistant coach Brooke (Hogue) Crawford was a part of the 2000 district championship team.