9 seniors picked for FCA games
By Sam Waller
Nine Shackelford County high school seniors have been selected to participate in the 2023 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival.
The festival, scheduled for June 4-10, features 350 of the area’s top student-athletes competing in seven sports held in four cities.
As part of the leadup to the festival, Albany head football coach Denney Faith and Hawley’s Mitch Ables will participate in a lunch program on Thursday, Feb. 16 at Potosi Live restaurant. The coaches will speak on their teams’ 2022 football seasons, both of which ended in state championships.
In addition to the local athletes, two Albany residents will assume leadership roles in the festival. Local FCA representative Paul Johnston will be in charge of the golf event, and Albany cheerleader sponsor Nickie Leveridge will be one of the cheer coaches for events in Abilene.
The festival opens Sunday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 6, with the second annual Big Country All-Star golf tournament on the Kingdom Course at Solid Rock Camp in Eastland.
The 10th annual FCA All-Star softball and baseball games are scheduled for Friday, June 9, at San Angelo. Albany’s Haily Cox will play for the North team, coached by Macey Clayton of Hawley and Cynthia Herrera of Breckenridge, in the softball game. Cole Chapman and Caden Price were named to the North baseball team, coached by Trent Dunavent of Stephenville and Bobby Smith of Eastland, an Albany native.
On Saturday, June 10, the 15th annual FCA All-Star women’s basketball game and 11th annual FCA All-Star men’s basketball game will be played in Brownwood. Albany’s Briley Tabor was named to the North women’s team, coached by Brenda Andress of Abilene High and Michael Skelton of Haskell.
“Briley loves the game and she’s worked hard for this,” Albany girls basketball coach Tate Thompson said. “I had the privilege of coaching an FCA All-Star game two summers ago, and it’s something she’s really going to love.”
Also on June 10, the 11th annual FCA All-Star volleyball match and 24th annual Myrle Greathouse All-Star Football Classic will be played in Abilene.
Albany’s Gracie Price was selected to the North volleyball team, coached by Liz Miller of Sweetwater, Rebecca Burns of Munday and Laura Zamarron of Abilene’s Mann Middle School. London Fuentes was picked for the Red football team, which will be coached by Daniel Price of Early, Jeremiah Butchee of Stephenville, Wes Benfer of Dublin, Bobby Nicholson of Stephenville, Jake Escobar of Comanche, and Heath Koop of Abilene’s Madison Middle School.
The cheer squad for the Abilene events will include Albany’s Brooke Kayga and Ella Webb along with Moran’s Emily Murk. Leveridge and Knox City’s Christy Howeth will serve as coaches.
