By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions hit the midway point of the District 10-2A schedule last week with a pair of losses, but are still ahead of their pace from a year ago.

Albany (8-15 overall, 1-6 district) began the second round of 10-2A play Tuesday, Jan. 17, with a 75-25 loss at No. 17 Cisco. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Little Dribblers youth basketball program is preparing to take the next step in getting its 2023 season underway following the conclusion of player registration this week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell said he hopes to conduct a player draft on Sunday, Jan. 22.

“I want to get the numbers counted up and see how many coaches I need,” Tidwell said. “I’ve got several already, but if anybody’s interested, they can let me know.”

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s youth basketball teams enjoyed solid performances Saturday, Jan. 14 in their second outing of the season, winning seven of eight games with the only loss coming by one point in overtime.

In girls games played at Jim Ned, the sixth grade team defeated Eula 18-12 and Hawley Maroon 16-0. The fifth grade girls swept Merkel Purple 12-4 and Merkel White, 17-6.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Formal team photos of the Albany Lion state championship football team and their coaches can now be ordered in various sizes at The Albany News, open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by calling 325-762-2201.

The picture was taken in front of the Nail Stadium gates with all trophies won during the 2022 season.

Sizes range from 5x7 up to 16x20, with the order to be placed by the end of January.

Also, individual and group photos of the junior high basketball teams ordered earlier this month are now ready for pickup.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Cubs and Lady Cubs basketball teams returned from a month-long holiday break Thursday, Jan. 12, with games against Cisco before the girls hosted a one-day tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The teams have another Thursday date on Jan. 19 (tonight) against Hawley, with the girls on the road and the boys at home. Games at both locations start at 5:30 p.m.

Last week, the boys teams hosted Cisco with the girls on the road.

GIRLS

Red Team

By Sam Waller

The weekly Chamber of Commerce luncheon will not be held this Friday, Jan. 20 to avoid conflicting with the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show.

Lunches will resume at the Beehive on Jan. 27 at 12:00 noon.

Annual Meeting

Board elections will be the main order of business for the Albany Chamber of Commerce at its annual business meeting, scheduled for noon Friday, Feb. 3 at the Beehive.

Chamber officer Lisa Barton said other business will also be discussed, but the voting on board members will top the agenda.

In addition to regular worship times, Bible study, and small group sessions, Albany participants in last weekend’s junior high Winter Retreat at Big Country Baptist Assembly at Lueders had a little fun during their service project of raking and picking up leaves at the facility.  First Baptist Church youth minister Eduardo San Lucas (at right, r) took several local students to the event, with the help of volunteer

Penny Prater.

By Sam Waller

Youth from across North Texas will convene next month for the annual Weekend of Champions leadership camps at Eastland’s Solid Rock Camp.

Separate boys and girls camps serving students from eighth through 12th grades will be held on consecutive weekends.

Local FCA representative Paul Johnston will lead the girls camp, scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 4-5, using the theme “Crown Him King.”

By Melinda L. Lucas

With just a little over a week left before the official deadline, a large percentage of the county-wide tax levies will be collected in the next few days.

Taxes assessed during 2022 are officially due next week, on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Cub Scout Pack 255 will hold its annual Pinewood Derby at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6 at the Scout Hut.

Scouts from Tiger through Webelos are eligible to compete with cars carved from a standard pine block.

“It’s big event,” Wolf Den leader Tiffany Waddell said. “And Jacey Shack has made it very clear at every one of our meetings that he’s going to beat everybody.”

Scouts received kits with materials from making cars and rules for the competition. Entries must meet requirements for height, weight, width, and ground clearance.