He responded in a way that’s impressive for just a sophomore.

Albarano poured in 25 points, including 17 in the second half after his team went to halftime down a point in a 72-61 victory over the Mountain Lions at the Altoona Fieldhouse.

“I didn’t really let it get to me,” Albarano said of the chants. “Everyone has that chip on their shoulder.”

“To come over here and do it at the Fieldhouse, probably did not see that coming,” Hollidaysburg coach Brad Lear said. “He’s really improved his 3-point shooting. He’s become a complete player.”

12/01/25 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Hollidaysburg's Vince Albarano gets some help from Ben Zimmerman on Altoona's Chris Wagner.

Many of the Hollidaysburg players are just coming out of football season, which ended just a little over a week ago.

“I thought it was a pretty ugly game,” Lear said. “A lot of missed layups, a lot of turnovers.

“On the way out, one of the Altoona staff members was like, ‘You know, you look pretty good for just getting your football guys back, and a lot of them played some big-time minutes tonight for us.”

As for Altoona, in what has become a program looked at with pessimism in recent years, the team hung with the Tigers, which went 21-4 a year ago. The Mountain Lions led 32-31 at halftime, and it’s a team that has a little more experience than it has in the last couple years.

“The last two years have not been good for Altoona basketball, and we always say we’re done with those last two years,” Altoona coach Doug Pfeffer said. “These kids have really shown a great attitude.

“I really don’t think we’re going to see the same results. We might not win every game, but we’re going to be in games.”

Altoona was aided by a 7-2 start, including a 3-pointer from Ethan Hicks. Despite the early lead, Hollidaysburg took its first lead by the 2:30 mark on an Albarano 3, and finished strong to take a 14-11 lead after the first eight minutes.

Altoona not only climbed back in the game, but held a 5-point lead after an Ashton Barr 3-pointer at the 2-minute mark. Despite that, the Tigers’ JJ Stultz made a layup on the final possession of the half to make it a 32-31 game at the break.

Albarano made a layup on Hollidaysburg’s first possession of the second half, and the Tigers never gave up the lead again. Hollidaysburg outscored Altoona, 25-16, in the third quarter to make it 56-48 after three quarters.

Hollidaysburg led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter before both teams emptied their benches.

“We just gutted it out and found a way,” Lear said. “We hit shots when we needed to, and we kind of figured our depth would be our biggest thing going into the season. I think we played 10 guys pretty consistently. I think our full-court pressure was kind of wearing them down a bit. I think that took its toll.”

Malikai Shields and Chris Wagner led the Mountain Lions with 11 points apiece.

“Both teams played extremely hard,” Pfeffer said. “For the first game, it was sloppy, but you can’t fault our kids’ effort. It was there. The intensity was there. We just have to make some shots and take care of the ball better.”

Hollidaysburg (1-0) visits Clearfield this evening with weather permitting. Altoona (0-1) will play at the Lakeview Tournament this weekend against the host team Friday evening and Girard on Saturday.

HOLLIDAYSBURG (72): Wolfe 0 3-4 3, Albarano 10 1-4 25, Stultz 4 0-0 9, K. Metzgar 4 3-4 12, Zimmerman 1 1-2 3, Delerme 4 0-1 9, Frazier 2 3-4 8, Rhodes 0 0-0 0, Padamonsky 0 1-2 1, Meakins 1 0-0 2, E. Metzgar 0 0-0 0, McDade 0 0-0 0, Steiner 0 0-0 0, Sullivan 0 0-0 0. Totals — 26 12-21 72.

ALTOONA (61): Shields 3 4-4 11, Wagner 4 3-5 11, Chathams 0 0-0 0, E. Hicks 2 3-4 8, McCloskey 4 0-1 8, Pfeffer 1 1-4 3, Barr 1 0-0 3, D. Hicks 1 1-1 3, Greaser 3 0-1 6, Helsel 0 0-0 0, Coldwell 1 2-2 4, Cochran 1 2-2 4, Wuckovich 0 0-0 0. Totals — 21 16-24 61.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Hollidaysburg 14 17 25 16 — 72

Altoona 11 21 16 13 — 61

3-point goals: Hollidaysburg 8 (Albarano 4, Stultz, K. Metzgar, Delerme, Frazier); Altoona 3 (Shields, E. Hicks, Barr).

Records: Hollidaysburg (1-0); Altoona (0-1).

Officials: Ethan Vipond, Joe Hanna, Justin Frearer.