By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions baseball team went 1-2 last week at the Eastland tournament in the first varsity action of the season.Albany will host its own tournament this weekend, weather permitting.

By Sam WallerAlbany graduate Joshua Dyer made his first home run with the McMurry Warhawks one to remember, hitting his first college grand slam in a recent home game.Dyer connected in the eighth inning of 14-12 loss to University of the Ozarks on Monday, Feb. 28 at McMurry’s Walt Driggers Field.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions golf team won the team title with two of the top three individual scores Wednesday, March 2, at the Hawley tournament.Albany followed up by finishing eighth at the Eula tournament, played Monday, March 7, at Shady Oaks Golf Course.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lions tennis team competed in two events last week with 11 players making up seven entries in an Albany tennis meet on Wednesday, March 3, while the bulk of the lineup spent the weekend at the Brock team tournament.

By Sam WallerThe Albany Lady Lions took on seven opponents from larger schools last week, winning once and playing well in a string of close losses.On Tuesday, March 8, the Lady Lions began their final week of nondistrict play with a 11-6 loss to Breckenridge at Webb Park.

By Sam WallerAlbany track and field athletes combined for 10 first place finishes last week at meets at Anson and Eastland.Both meets were held Thursday, March 3. The start of  the season was delayed a week after weather forced the cancellation of the first meet at Breckenridge.

By Sam WallerTwelve Albany basketball players were recognized for their efforts this season with inclusion on the All-District 10-2A teams, which were selected by a vote of district coaches.

By Melinda L. LucasClose to 93 percent of the 2021 tax levy had been collected as of Jan. 31, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder at the Shackelford County Central Appraisal District (CAD) office, with eligible payments coming in for couple of weeks in February.

By Sam WallerThe Shackelford County 4-H rifle team is seeking sponsorships for new equipment and to help cover costs of upcoming competitions.The team, coached by Jessica Wade, will put sponsors’ logos on T-shirts and a banner to be displayed at events.

By Donnie A. LucasAlbany ISD students, facultyand staff are scheduled to be dismissed early on Friday, March 11 for the week-long spring break holiday.Classes will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. at both campuses, with buses running at that time.