By Sandy Morris

Licensed hunters ages 16 years and younger have opportunities this winter and spring to sharpen their skills and bring home some whitetail and turkey trophies, and adult hunters still have time to harvest wild game. 

Dove season ended Sunday, Jan. 3, but quail season continues until Feb. 28.

The regular season for deer and turkey ended Sunday, Jan. 3, though a special late deer season runs from Jan. 4-17, 2020, and is open to all legal hunters. 

By Sandy Morris

The Big Country chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes typically hosts its annual Weekend of Champions over full weekends each January. 

This year, due to COVID concerns, the Weekend of Champions camps will be one day only events with the Girls Weekend scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Solid Rock Christian Camp in Eastland. 

The Boys Weekend is scheduled for the following Saturday, Jan. 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Beltway South in Abilene. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The junior high basketball teams will be back in action for the first time since the Christmas break on Thursday.

The Cubs will host Abilene Christian School starting at 5:30 p.m., while the girls will play ACS in Abilene, also beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The junior high teams have been idle since Dec. 14 due to the holidays.

Games for the junior high teams will return to Monday night next week, with the boys on the road to Cisco starting at 5:30 p.m. The girls will play at home hosting Cisco also beginning at 5:30 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local fifth and sixth graders who signed up for local youth basketball teams have started practicing in preparation for the first tournament on Saturday, Jan. 9.

According to coach and league coordinator Clint Chapman, enough students signed up for the four teams designated for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls.

Albany will host a boys tournament starting at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, with five sixth grade teams and seven fifth grade squads each playing at least two games during the day.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The varsity Lady Lions won a pair of district games over the holiday break, boosting the team to 2-1 in District 10-2A action.

Albany traveled to Cisco on Tuesday, Jan. 5 as the first half of district play resumed following the Christmas break. The Lady Lions lost to the Lady Loboes 58-20 to even out their league record at 2-2.

Albany will host Anson on Friday, Jan. 8, with the varsity girls tipping off at 6:00 p.m. in the main gym. The JV girls will play in the auxiliary gym starting at 7:15 p.m.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion varsity basketball team opened district play just before the Christmas break with a one-point loss to Hawley, but they chalked up a mark in the win column at the end of the break with a win over Hamlin last Saturday.

The Lions were on the road in Cisco on Tuesday, coming home with a 62-34 loss. Details of the game will be reported next week.

Albany will host the Anson Tigers on Friday, with the JV boys playing at 6:00 p.m. in the old gym, followed by the varsity game at 7:15 p.m. in the new gym.

 Taylor Scott of Albany was recognized on the Dean’s Honor Roll at Midwestern State University recognized for the fall 2020 semester. Scott is studying Pre-Radiologic Technology.

A student who completes 12 hours in one semester with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74 is included on the list. 

Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, has announced the students achieving the Dean’s List designation for the 2020 fall semester.

To be eligible for the ASU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.25 or better grade point average.

Students from Albany making the Dean’s List include Kaitlyn Reddin and Kelsey Tollett.

Angelo State University conferred 381 undergraduate and 191 degrees to its fall 2020 graduates that were recognized in a virtual commencement on Dec. 6.

Graduates include Kait­lyn Reddin of Albany, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Registration for Little Dribblers basketball will begin next week, with the deadline set for Wednesday, Jan. 27.

According to organizer Joe Tidwell, the program is open to both boys and girls who are eight years old by Jan. 1 and continues through the fourth grade.

Tidwell said that registration forms will be distributed through the elementary school next week. Completed forms must be signed by a parent and returned to the school office along with the $30 entry fee.