By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs notched their second win of the season and the Bulldog boys recorded their first during a busy week, joining forces to host the Moran Holiday Tournament over the weekend.

The Moran teams resumed action Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Trent. Results will be reported next week. Both teams will take part in the Lueders-Avoca tournament Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Moran played a doubleheader at Paint Rock. The Lady Bulldogs lost 42-15, while the Bulldogs hung tough before falling 55-42.

By Sam Waller

Moran placed fifth overall last week at the elementary and junior high district UIL academic meet held at Cross Plains.

Contests for writing and chess were conducted Wednesday, Nov. 9 on campus. Speaking events were contested Wednesday, Nov. 30, with other events held Thursday, Dec. 1.

Moran principal Jo Hise said Moran students competed well.

“We had a lot of individuals and several teams do well,” she said. “I’m really pleased with the results.”

By Sam Waller

If the Lions advance past their Class 2A Division II state semifinal playoff, the team and its fans face a quick turnaround for the state championship game.

The winners of the Albany-New Home and Mart-Burton semifinals will meet at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. The Class 2A Division II title game will follow the Class 1A state finals earlier in the day.

All details can be found at www.uiltexas.org/football/state/football-state-championships-spectator-information

Tickets

By Sam Waller

Moran FFA was recognized for finishing fifth in sweepstakes last spring on Monday, Dec. 5 at the Big Country District Banquet at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

“All the students enjoyed attending the banquet, which was a nice way to end the LDE season for 2022,” FFA adviser Minnie Denson said. “Now we’re switching gears to think about springtime teams.”

PTO Holiday Meal

The Moran PTO will hold its annual Holiday Meal at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at Moran Event Center.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams won four of five games against Hamlin on Monday, Dec. 5, with the girls sweeping at home and the boys winning two of three at Hamlin.

The junior high teams wrap up the first half of their season Monday, Dec. 12 against Anson. The boys teams will play at home starting at 5:30 p.m. The girls will play at Anson with start times to be determined.

By Sam Waller

Two Albany Lions basketball teams took part in the Albany JV Tournament last week with the JV winning two and the freshmen losing two.

Coach Ryder Peacock said the next basketball outings will probably not come until after Albany finishes its football season. The Lions are scheduled to open District 10-2A play Tuesday, Dec. 20 at home against Haskell.

Peacock said being able to field two teams allowed more players to get court time.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions basketball team surpassed their win total from last season in a busy, productive week, winning five of seven games.

The Lady Lions (6-5) began this week with a 50-17 win against Abilene TLCA on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at home.

In an addition to the original schedule, Albany will host Clyde at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

The Lady Lions got last week started on a positive note on Tuesday, Nov. 29 by winning 37-29 at Archer City.

By Sam Waller

The No. 6 Albany Lions showed the No. 7 Collinsville Pirates that it takes more than a high-powered offense to win in the playoffs.

Despite giving up season highs for points and yards allowed, the Lions dominated the Pirates in a 66-34 victory Friday, Dec. 2, in their Class 2A Division II state quarterfinal at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

The Lions (12-2) advance to the state semifinals for the second year in a row to take on a fast-rising New Home team at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 (tonight) at the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater.

By Sam Waller

Thursday playoff games mean the Albany Athletic Booster Club has to move up the schedule of events, and they could be happily forced to move them up even earlier if the Albany Lions extend their season another week.

The community pep rally for Albany’s Class 2A Division II state semifinal against New Home was held Wednesday, Dec. 7.

The send-off at the Bank Park is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 (today), as the Lions travel to Sweetwater for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at the Mustang Bowl.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A total of 560 fresh evergreen wreaths will be placed on the graves of local veterans as part of National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Organized locally by Melinda and Henry Musselman, along with Saundra Nobles, the effort will utilize a number of local volunteers to distribute the wreaths.