It was a long, hard season for the Alberton boys and girls basketball teams as they played their first year of varsity sports.

And although neither team managed to secure an elusive victory, both stuck with it and played hard to the end of every game.

They laid the foundation for teams to come and the success that will surely, eventually follow.

The boys finished their regular season 0-18 as they fell to visiting Lincoln 59-18 Saturday night.

The Lynx took command early, outscoring the Panthers 18-0 in the first quarter, then fell further behind 34-9 at the half. But the nine points they scored after being shut out in the first quarter showed they have not given up.

Lincoln added 16 more points to their lead in the second half as Alberton could not slice into the already big deficit.

Johah Renaud paced the Panthers with 12 points, while Teegan Riddle scored a game-high 17 for Lincoln.

The night before in Charlo, against the regular season 14C champions, Alberton found themselves in a bigger first quarter hole against the taller, more veteran Vikings.

By the end of the first period of play, Alberton trailed 23-1 and the Panthers were down 37-7 at halftime. The Vikings outscored Alberton 16-5 in the second half to coast to the 53-12 win.

The Alberton girls also closed out their regular season against the same two teams, falling 56-6 to Lincoln Saturday night in Alberton, one night after being bested 64-7 by Charlo’s Lady Vikings.

In both games the Lady Panthers fell behind early and could not overcome big deficits by halftime.

The Alberton teams now head to Polson this Thursday for their first foray into the District playoffs. The boys will take on St. Regis Thursday at 12:15, while the girls face Charlo Thurday at 2 pm.

The games will be held at Polson High School.