By Sam Waller
The Moran Independent School District received a grade of C from the Texas Education Agency, holding steady from the last ratings handed out in 2019.
The TEA assesses grades of A through F for accountability for districts and campuses throughout the state. The ratings were not issued the last two years because of COVID-related disruptions.
Moran principal Jo Hise said the district is taking steps to improve its rating.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions showed big-play capability in their second preseason scrimmage, but they also had issues that will require improvement.
The Lions outscored Early two touchdowns to one on Thursday, Aug. 18 in their final tuneup before the regular season at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium. All three scores came during the controlled portion of the scrimmage on plays covering 70 yards.
By Sam Waller
Several factors combined to disrupt Brian Hamilton’s college baseball career, but he started getting things back on track in 2022 at Harding University.
A 2018 Albany graduate who earned all-state honors for the Lions, Hamilton redshirted in 2019 at Cisco College, then had the next two seasons wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic and a shoulder injury. He saw limited action as a pitcher in 2022, going 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in four appearances, making one start and working a total of eight innings.
By Sam Waller
Albany’s Riley Reames enjoyed being part of the Texas Brigade program so much last year that she signed up for one of the other camps this year.
After attending the Ranch Brigade camp at Santa Anna in 2021, Reames attended the Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade camp June 10-14 at Wood Ranch at Rising Star.
“We were there for five days and did so much,” Reames said. “It was a lot packed into a little amount of time.
By Sam Waller
Albany junior high athletes began preseason practice in football last week with the start of school.
Seventh and eighth grade teams will take on Dublin on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
Albany ISD athletic director Ryder Peacock, who will coach eighth grade football, said the Cubs have more than 30 players out for the two grades. The first two days of school were spent distributing equipment and getting organized with full practices starting Monday, Aug. 22.
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions capped off a 2-0 week Friday, Aug. 19 with a four-set victory against Eastland at home.
After sweeping Olney 25-14, 25-12, 25-15 on Tuesday, Aug. 16 the Lady Lions defeated Eastland 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19 on Friday.
Albany (6-4) lost to Bryson 24-26, 19-25, 25-18, 24-26 on Tuesday, Aug. 23 to wrap up its season-opening homestand. Details will be reported next week.
By Sam Waller
The Moran Bulldogs football team enjoyed another solid outing last week in its second scrimmage.
The Bulldogs open the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at Benjamin.
The Bulldogs scrimmaged Lueders-Avoca on Thursday, Aug. 18 at Lueders.
“It went well, no injuries or problems,” Bulldogs coach John Hughes said. “We scored similar to the way we did in our first scrimmage, but this time we gave up three scores, all because of blown assignments on defense.”
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners continued reviewing the budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 and got their first look at tax rate options during a meeting on Monday.
In addition to budget concerns, elected officials spent some time looking at options for using part of funding received through the American Rescue Plan Act for “premium pay” for employees and discussing a request for help from Moran mayor Tyler George.
Premium Pay
By Sam Waller
The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs volleyball teams opened their season Monday, Aug. 22 by splitting a pair of matches at Abilene Christian.
Junior high teams are not allowed to practice until the start of school under UIL rules. With Albany ISD beginning the new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 17, the teams had two practice sessions before playing.
The seventh grade Lady Cubs bounced back from a first-set loss to win their match 18-25, 25-23, 15-12.
By Sidney Bartee
Football season tickets are now available for 2022.
The first game of the season is at home this Friday, Aug. 26 against Lubbock Trinity, followed by two away games in Dublin and Seymour and then two home games against Hawley and Comanche. District home games are Oct. 14 against Cross Plains, which is also homecoming, and Nov.4 against TLC.
Single varsity game tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets for junior high and junior varsity games are $4 for adults and $2 for students.
