By Sandy Morris
Albany Sports Center took two cheer teams to the Varsity Spirit Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders National Championship in Arlington on Saturday, Feb. 6 and brought home awards in both the show team and elementary team divisions.
ASC head coach Kourtnee Waters explained that the show team is made up of nine girls ages four to eight and teams in this division are not placed, but receive either an excellent or outstanding award.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The two boys teams in the Youth Basketball League participated in the season ending tournament, with the fifth graders winning their division and the sixth graders placing third.
The two girls’ team did not compete in the tournament due to a conflict with another activity.
The fifth graders, coached by Clint Chapman, won all three bracket games to remain undefeated for the season and win the title.
Albany beat Jim Ned in the first game 21-18. Scoring were Clay Chapman 9, Aiden Vickers 7, and Bennett Neece 2.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lady Lion softball team played in a four-team scrimmage in Snyder last Saturday, coming out on top against Brownfield 8-6 but losing to Snyder 10-1 and Coahoma 8-7.
Albany is scheduled to host another scrimmage on Friday against Anson at 4:00 p.m. However, coach Jimmy Fuentes wasn’t optimistic that the scrimmage would happen due to the current weather forecast.
Albany is also scheduled to host the regular season opener on Tuesday, Feb. 16 against Miles at 5:00 p.m.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Six members of the Albany High football team were recognized recently by being named to the Big Country Preps All-Big Country team.
Seniors Ryder Wilkins, offensive lineman, and Parker Henry, defensive lineman, received third team positions on the list that includes players from 1A through 6A divisions.
By Sandy Morris
This is the last week to sign up any softball players for the spring season with the Albany Girls Softball Association.
Jacey Shack, president of AGSA, said registration forms have been delivered to all local schools.
He also said there will be an open board meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Scout Hut.
“Registration forms are available at the schools or on the Albany Softball Facebook page,” said Shack. “All forms are due back to the schools by Friday, Feb. 12.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lady Lions closed out the 2020-2021 basketball season with a pair of losses last week.
The varsity ended the season with an overall 6-8 record, including a 3-7 district mark.
“This was really a tough year in a really tough district,” coach Tate Thompson said. “I’m losing a big group of seniors this year, so we will have to have some of the younger girls step up for next year.”
The coach added that he has enjoyed coaching the parting seniors through three years of their high school careers.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion basketball team finished the regular season with three wins, the final two at home.
Albany is currently in third place behind Cisco and Anson, who will battle on Friday in their season finale that will decide the final district standings.
The Lions ended the regular season with a 10-6 season record, including 9-3 in district.
A win by Cisco on Friday over Anson would bump the Lions to second place, but if Cisco loses, Albany will stay in third place.
By Sandy Morris
The Albany Independent School District will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 with a staff development day scheduled for faculty members.
Classes will resume at the normal times on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Classes will release on Friday, March 12, and this year’s Spring Break for Albany ISD is set for March 15-19.
Moran ISD
Moran ISD also will be observing the holiday and will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15. Classes will resume at their regular times on Tuesday.
City of Albany
By Sandy Morris
A fundraiser has been set up to help Albany High School athlete Wesley Estridge continue to compete at area powerlifiting meets.
Dark heather gray t-shirts supporting Estridge are being sold for $20 each.
The shirts are short sleeved and have the Albany Lions logo on the front of the shirt with Estridge’s name, sponsors, and
“Train Insane or Remain the Same” on the back.
The order form is posted on the Albany Athletic Booster Club Facebook page or by contacting Blake or Val Estridge.
By Sandy Morris
Project Graduation organizers are busy this week preparing all the truffles and gifts sold during their first fundraiser benefitting the annual celebration following graduation.
Class parent Tisha Wilkins said the order forms rolled in along with requested ingredients, and seniors and their parents have spent the week dipping and decorating the truffles.
“I think this is our biggest Valentine’s fundraiser,” said Wilkins. “We are looking at making and decorating over 2,000 truffles this year.”
