by Kathy Thomson

Tuesday, Feb. 18 was the first day of early voting for the March 3 primary election, with balloting taking place in the foyer on the first floor of the Shackelford County Courthouse.

As of press time on Tuesday afternoon, 22 voters had cast ballots.

Early voting will continue through Friday, Feb. 28. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 21.

The ballots must be returned to the county clerk’s office by return mail before voting closes on March 3.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Staying even for three quarters of the Class 2A bi-district battle, the Lady Lions scored 12 unanswered points in the fourth to surge ahead for a 50-39 win over Eldorado on Monday in Bronte.

Albany (21-10) now advances to the area round to take on the Wink Lady Wildcats (17-6), winner of District 6-2A.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lion basketball team sewed up a playoff berth last week with a win over Cross Plains, finishing the regular season at home Tuesday against Stamford.

Albany lost the finale to the undefeated district winning Bulldogs 75-57. Complete results will be reported next week.

The Lions face first-place Christoval from District 7-2A on Monday, Feb. 24 at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola, starting at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are set for $4 and $2, with all passes honored.

By Kathy Thomson

Seven local Little Dribblers teams continued their season, playing two games each in the old Albany High School gym last Saturday, Feb. 15.

The next set of matches will take place this Saturday, Feb. 22, starting at 8:30 a.m. with a match between the Boys’ Blue and Grey teams. The first game of the day for the girls will be at 9:30 a.m. between Purple and Turquoise.

Results from the second week of play on Saturday, Feb. 15 are listed below.

BOYS

Blue 31 - Gray 21

by Kathy Thomson

Eight Albany seniors are among the more than 320 top athletes and cheerleaders of the area who make up the 2020 all-star class for Big Country Chevy Dealers Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star Festival, announced Sunday, Feb. 16 at Beltway Church South in Abilene.

Representing Albany High School on the gridiron will be Ben West and Blaine Kayga on the Blue football team and Tyler Beard playing for Red.

Alayna Koemel was named to the cheer squad for the football and volleyball games.

By Melinda L. Lucas

About 30 local residents of all ages attended a no-cost self-defense clinic Feb. 8 with a chance to continue training as part of a newly formed local organization.

Self-defense and jujitsu classes are now available through a new local branch of the American Jujitsu Institute, a national non-profit, according to Blake Picquet, who is organizing the group. 

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran basketball season ended this week with the high school boys playing in Ranger on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Results from that game and from the Bulldogs’ match in Strawn on Feb. 11 were not available at press time and will be reported next week.

The boys varsity team lost a close game to Gordon on Friday, Feb. 14, falling 38-36.

Lady Bulldogs

The high school girls played Strawn’s Lady Hounds on Tuesday, Feb. 11. 

By Kathy Thomson

American Heart Association representative Beth Lotter came to Moran to give a presentation to preschool through fifth grade classes on Feb. 12.

“Lotter was here for the kick-off of ‘Kids Heart Challenge’,” said elementary teacher Sabrina Swedlund.  

By Kathy Thomson

The fifth and sixth grade youth basketball teams’ season ending tournaments took place on Saturday,  Feb. 8.

Results from three of the four teams were reported in the Feb. 13 edition of The Albany News, however the sixth grade girls’ scores were not available at press time last week, and are reported below.

Sixth Grade Girls

Albany lost to Jim Ned 28-8 in their first game of the tournament.

The monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford coordinates the event, which takes place the fourth Saturday of each month.

Proceeds this month will benefit the fire department and the city park, according to Clifford.

There is no cover charge, but snacks will be available.

For more information, call 325-668-5084 or 254-631-9777.