By Sam Waller
Two Moran meat judging teams scored well in contests over the weekend at major livestock shows.
Moran teams placed 25th and 35th out of 43 teams on Saturday, Feb. 19, at San Angelo. On Sunday, Feb. 20, the teams finished 33rd and 41st out of 77 teams in San Antonio.
Moran superintendent Dr. John Denson said two members of the first team scored extremely high in placing classes at San Angelo.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions went 2-4-1 in their first week of the softball season, opening with an 8-5 victory over the Abilene Cooper JV before spending the weekend at the Eastland tournament.
At Eastland, the Lady Lions lost 14-1 to Clyde before beating Merkel 7-2 on Friday, Feb. 18. On Saturday, Feb. 19, Albany lost 8-6 to Wall, tied Coleman 6-6, and lost 8-7 to Jim Ned.
On Monday, Feb. 21, Albany lost 15-0 at Breckenridge.
By Sam Waller
Registration deadline for Albany Little League is Friday, Feb. 25.
Registration is being conducted online at www.albanytxll.com.
Tryouts for new players age 8-12 will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Little League complex on Griffin Road. Players unable to attend at that time may try out at the field at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 6.
Players who were in the program last year and those who will be playing T-ball or Coach Pitch do not need to attend.
For more information, contact Paul Hamilton at 214-543-9947.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions boys basketball team opened the playoffs Tuesday, Feb. 22, with a 52-45 bi-district win against Petrolia at Graham, moving them on to the area round.
The Lions will play the Italy Gladiators (21-4) Friday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Weatherford High School gym, with Albany fans on the home side. Details were still being worked out on Wednesday morning at press time, but tickets are expected to be available online only at weatherfordisd.com, and passes will be accepted.
By Sam Waller
Fort Griffin Fandangle Association members are responding quickly to letters that they received a couple of weeks ago, purchasing memberships at seven different levels ranging from Pioneer at $25 to platinum at $5,000. The Pioneer membership is open only to those age 65 and up.
Memberships may be purchased online at www.fortgriffinfandangle.org or by calling the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838.
Rehearsals Start
By Sam Waller
The Moran Bulldogs wrapped up their boys basketball season Tuesday, Feb. 15 with a 74-46 loss at Baird.
The Bulldogs finished the season 2-16 overall, 1-9 in District 13-1A.
Baird opened up a 24-11 lead in the first quarter and increased the margin to 42-16 at halftime. The Bears outscored the Bulldogs 32-20 in the second half.
Arren Hawley, Moran’s lone senior, led the Bulldogs with 19 points. Caleb York scored eight points and Ellis Hise added seven, while Connor Hail scored two.
Spring Sports
By Sam Waller
Colter Edgar placed second in his division with a barrow as Albany FFA and 4-H members completed participation in the San Angelo Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Five Albany students exhibited barrows in the swine show, which wrapped up Thursday, Feb. 17. The San Angelo show concluded on Sunday, Feb. 20.
Edgar competed in the Lightweight Cross division in San Angelo. His second-place finish enabled him to make the sale with the animal.
Also showing barrows were Callan Edgar, Tye Edgar, Tatum Grady, and Paige Price.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions started their baseball season with a scrimmage on Friday, Feb. 18 and a JV game on Monday, Feb. 21.
This weekend’s Albany JV tournament, however, fell victim to winter weather, with coach David Fairchild making the decision Wednesday morning to cancel the event.
“We had an opportunity to get three more games this weekend, and that’s what we wanted to do, play baseball games,” he said. “It’s just unfortunate we can’t get that time on the field.”
First Baptist Church will hold a volleyball tournament Saturday, March 12 to raise funds to send youth to church camp this summer.
The double-elimination tournament will be held at the Albany High School gym. Awards will be presented for first, second, and third place.
The tournament is open to incoming eighth graders and older. Teams must have a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 10. At least three team members must be girls.
Entry fee is $16 per person, with a deadline of Sunday, March 6. Teams must have a team name and designate a team captain.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions tennis team battled both the elements and opponents Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Hawley Invitational, but won three draws.
Players had to contend with cold conditions at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.
“There was more confidence on the court,” coach M.J. Reneau said of the Lions’ second tournament outing. “It’s hard to compare because of the weather conditions. That apparently didn’t slow them down, because they got out there and got after it.”
