By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions opened the second half of District 10-2A play with 71-29 home loss to Haskell on Tuesday, Jan. 18, before taking its second bye of the district schedule.

Albany visited Hawley on Tuesday, Jan. 25, to start the closing stretch of the season. The girls lost 45-36, with complete results to be reported next week.

The Lady Lions host Hamlin on Friday, Jan. 28.

Against Haskell, Lady Lions coach Tate Thompson said Albany showed improvement from its first meeting with the Maidens, an 89-21 loss at Haskell on Dec. 14.

By Sam Waller

Seven members of the Albany Lions football team received recognition on the All-Big Country Preps football team after helping Albany advance to the Class 2A Division II state semifinals.

Running back Jaheim Newton, offensive lineman Zane Waggoner, and defensive lineman Taren Farmer were all named to the website’s second team. Quarterback Cole Chapman, offensive lineman Monte Cauble, and linebacker Brooks Neece were honorable mention.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD officials are taking a visual approach in helping students prepare for state-mandated testing.

Superintendent Dr. John Denson said a data room has been established to better chart student progress.

“We’ve got a secure room where we can put all our students’ progress on the walls to help them prepare for the STAAR tests,” Denson said. “It helps us figure out the individual needs of each student. We can determine if a student needs more help in reading, while another might need extra time in math.”

By Sam Waller

Nearly 70 players have registered to participate in Albany Little Dribblers, showing significant growth in the girls division.

League organizer Joe Tidwell said 42 girls and 24 boys are registered for the program, which is open to boys and girls age eight through fourth grade.

The number of girls signed up led to the formation of six teams, leaving Tidwell to figure out a workable schedule.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s youth basketball teams have faced scheduling issues through the first three weeks of their season, but competition is ongoing.

Teams of fifth and sixth graders have played two weekends, but games on Saturday, Jan. 15 were cancelled and likely will not be made up, according to league organizers.

Albany’s sixth grade girls team, which has just six players, has yet to play a game because of illness.

The sixth grade boys and fifth grade boys and girls have each played two weekends.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the February distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4.

Eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Albany families can pick up on Friday, Feb. 4, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.

Families are reminded to complete a 2022 application to apply for the 2022 program when they pick up their food.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs picked up their second District 13-1A victory last week to split two home games.

The Lady Bulldogs lost 68-26 to Eula on Tuesday, Jan. 18, but held off Rising Star 42-38 on Friday, Jan. 21.

Meanwhile, the Moran boys team lost 86-30 to Eula, then fell agonizingly short in a 47-45 loss to Rising Star.

The Bulldogs played at Cross Plains on Monday, Jan. 24 in a game postponed from Friday, Jan. 14. Results were not available at press time and will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

Registration is ongoing for the upcoming youth baseball and softball seasons season with information available at Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Albany Little League

Albany Little League organizer Paul Hamilton said the baseball program is shifting to online registration this year, but information on how to register will be available through the school.

Registration deadline for Little League Majors and Minors, Intermediate, and Junior leagues will be Feb. 11.

Competition is also offered in T-Ball and Coach Pitch age groups.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Pinewood Derby competition for local Cub Scouts has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 31 at the Scout Hut.

Originally set for this past Monday, the event was moved to next week due to a schedule conflict.

Several Scouts are expected to participate in the event.

Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. with races starting at 6:00 p.m.

For more information about the derby, contact Cubmaster Jacey Shack at 325-762-0006.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions football team will be presented bronze medals for reaching the 2021 state semifinals of the Class 2A Division II playoffs in a cere­mony at 6:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the high school gym. The brief ceremony will take place prior to the varsity basketball games against Hamlin.

The University Interscholastic League presents gold and silver medals to members of the state champion and runner-up teams on the field at the state final in December. Both teams that lose in the semifinals receive bronze medals.