By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion basketball team opened district last Friday in Roscoe with a close loss, followed by a second defeat on Tuesday in Hawley.

Albany fell 48-54 to the Bearcats on Tuesday, to post an 0-2 District 8-2A mark.

The Lions will host Haskell on Friday starting at 5:00 p.m. with the JV boys, followed by the varsity boys at about 7:45 p.m. after the varsity girls.

Albany will also play at home next Tuesday, Jan. 28 with the Cross Plains Buffaloes coming to Albany for another district bout.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lady Lions split district games last week with Stamford and Roscoe, then won a big victory in Hawley on Tuesday to bump their district record up to 3-1.

Albany defeated the Lady Bearcats on Tuesday, 40-27, with one game remaining in the first round of district. Details of the game were not available at press time, but will be reported next week. 

By Kathy Thomson

Registration is currently underway for girls who want to play in the Albany Girls Softball Association this spring.

Completed forms can be turned in to the school, or applicants can contact board member Beth Roysdon at 325-721-9023. 

Those willing to assist the association are encouraged to call Roysdon to find out where volunteers are still needed.

Registration fees are $45 for the first player in a family, and $30 more for each additional sibling entered in the league. Scholarships are available.

By Kathy Thomson

The fifth and sixth grade youth basketball teams continued their 2020 season last Saturday, with the girls on the road, and the boys playing at home.

5th Grade Boys

The fifth grade boys played in the Albany High main gym last Saturday. They were paired with Hawley at 9:00 a.m. and then with Eula Maroon at 1:00 p.m.

“We lost our first game 20-13,” said coach Morgan Smith. 

The boys came back to beat Eula Maroon 38-3 that afternoon.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The eighth grade basketball girls were busy during the last week, winning three games at an area tournament and posting a win at home Monday.

The seventh grade and the 7th combined B team also played Monday against Stamford with mixed results.

The Lady Cubs will host Hawley next Monday starting at 5:30 p.m.

8th Grade Results

Albany’s eighth graders beat Stamford 22-16 on Monday, improving to 5-3 in district and 8-6 overall.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Cubs traveled to Stamford on Monday, winning two out of three games, and the 7A and 8A Cubs also played in the Olney tournament last Saturday.

Albany will be on the road again next Monday, traveling to Hawley for a full set of games starting at 5:30 p.m.

The eighth graders won both tournament games on Saturday, then beat Stamford 36-13 on Monday  for a clean sweep.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran High School basketball games with Strawn this Friday have been moved from Strawn to Moran.

“We’ve changed it to a home game so that our students can make it to the stock show,” said administrative assistant Jeannie TenCate.

The Lady Bulldogs will host the Lady Greyhounds at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. The boys game will follow at around 7:00 p.m.

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By Kathy Thomson

Around a dozen local Cub Scouts are expected to compete in the annual Albany Pinewood Derby on Monday, Jan. 28, and the race will feature a couple of firsts for the local Scouts.

Most notably, this will be the first time the Pinewood Derby will take place in the new Scout Hut.

The local Cub Scouts have held the annual event at the Albany Youth Center for the last several years after the previous Scout Hut was closed due to structural problems.

R.P. Mitchell of Albany, Texas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the First Christian Church in Albany under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. Burial will be in the family plot in the Albany cemetery, followed by lunch at the First Christian Church. All are welcome. 

R.P. was born in Albany, Texas on Sept. 23, 1923. His parents were Richard (Dick) Mitchell and Esther Hammer Mitchell. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

City council members acknowledged the work of Albany mayor Rodney Alexander, who died suddenly earlier this month, during their meeting on Monday, Jan. 13, commenting on his service to the community and the time he spent to make improvements for his fellow citizens.

Council members intend to declare a day in Alexander’s honor but weren’t able to make an official decision this week because that item wasn’t on the agenda.