By Sam Waller

Drought conditions brought on by a La Niña weather system were the major weather story in Shackelford County in 2022, and it doesn’t appear conditions are going to change in early 2023.

Meteorologist Mike Castillo of the National Weather Service office in San Angelo said the system caused warmer and drier weather locally last year.

Shackelford County received 17.34 inches of rainfall in 2022, according to data from the NWS co-op station in Albany, 11.58 inches below the annual average of 28.92 inches.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Haily Cox will get to continue her softball career at the next level after signing a letter of intent with Cisco College in December.

“I love having the chance to keep playing the sport I grew up playing,” Cox said. “It’s a great opportunity for me. Right now, I just hope my senior season goes out with a bang.”

By Sam Waller

Albany Youth Basketball fifth and sixth grade teams tip off their 2023 season Saturday, Jan. 7, with games at Hawley and Jim Ned.

Organizer Lauren Peacock said more than 40 players have signed up for the program this year.

“We have 10 to 11 kids on each team,” she said. “There was a great turnout. Lots of kids are ready to play their games and get on the court.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Little Dribblers basketball season is gearing up for its 2023 season with player registration getting underway next week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell said registration forms should be available at Nancy Smith Elementary School when classes resume next Tuesday, Jan. 10.

“If we can get the forms back by Friday, Jan. 13, that would be best, but no later than Monday, Jan. 16,” Tidwell said.

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

The Albany Lions basketball team entered the 2023 portion of the schedule with a 3-2 record after getting the season off to a belated start because of the football team’s state-championship run.

The Lions tipped off their season with a 44-37 loss to Haskell on Tuesday, Dec. 20, just six days after the final football game, in the District 10-2A opener for both teams.

By Sam Waller

Three members of the Albany Lady Lions volleyball team were recognized for their efforts in 2022 by bigcountrypreps.com.

Middle blocker Kiana Roberson and setter Abi Hale were named reserves on the All-Big Country Preps third team, while senior outside hitter Ella Webb earned a spot on the website’s Max Effort team.

The Lady Lions posted a 24-8 record and a share of the District 6-2A championship before their season ended with a bi-district loss to Sonora.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions look to build on momentum gained from their holiday tournament as they resumed District 10-2A play with a win on Tuesday.

After going 2-2 and earning the top spot in the bronze bracket at the May tournament, played Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 27-29, the Lady Lions (8-11 overall, 1-3 district) started the 2023 portion of their schedule Tuesday, Jan. 3, with a close 38-37 win Hamlin. Details will be reported next week.

After an open date on Friday, Jan. 6, Albany resumes district play Tuesday, Jan. 10 at home against Stamford.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Kenzie Neve brought home an armful of awards from the Arizona National Livestock Show, held Dec. 27-31 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.

Neve, an Albany High School sophomore, claimed the grand champion intermediate cattle showman prize for the second year in a row.

“There were something like 80 exhibitors in her division, so that was pretty fun,” Neve’s mother, Leslie, said.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Seating is already limited for the first performance of a new concert series hosted by Albany Live at the Aztec Theater set for Saturday, Jan. 14.

Fewer than 50 general admission tickets are available for the Paul Cauthen concert on Saturday, Jan. 14 at $75 per seat. All reserved seating has been sold.

Concerts are planned for five out of the first six months of 2023, opening with a return performance by Cauthen, who performed in the first series last year.

Julia Bowman and Taylor Scott  were recognized by Midwestern State University Honor Rolls for the Fall 2022 semester.

Julia Bowman, majoring in Radiologic Technology, was named on the President’s Honor roll. This list includes students who complete 12 hours with no grade lower than A (4.0).

Taylor Scott, also majoring in Radiologic Technology, was listed on the Provost’s Honor Roll.

Students who complete 12 hours in one semester with a GPA of 3.75 to 3.99 and no grade lower than C are included on the Provost’s Honor Roll.