Albany athletes play in FCA games
By Sam Waller
Eight Albany graduates took to courts and fields for the last time as high schoolers last week during the 2023 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival.
Local participation started Friday, June 9, with the 10th annual FCA All-Star softball and baseball games at San Angelo. On Saturday, June 10, basketball games were played in Brownwood while volleyball and football games were held in Abilene with Albany cheerleaders providing support.
Softball
In the softball game, Albany’s Haily Cox played six innings at shortstop for the North, making four putouts to help the North win 3-2. The South took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the North rallied with two runs in the fifth and took the lead in the sixth.
“It was amazing to see all the surrounding towns come together to play the sports we love,” said Cox, who has signed to play at Cisco College. “I made wonderful memories with new friends. I really enjoyed the whole trip.”
At the plate, Cox went 0 for 2 with a strikeout and a fly ball in a game dominated by pitching and defense.
Baseball
In the baseball game, Albany’s Caden Price and Cole Chapman played a large role in helping the North to a 15-5 win. The game, scheduled for nine innings, was called in the eighth because of lightning in the area.
“They did great,” Lions coach David Fairchild said. “Cole played third base and Caden started in right field.”
Price drew a bases-loaded walk in the third, hit a three-run double in the fifth, and had an infield hit in the sixth. His double helped break a 5-5 tie as the North scored the last 10 runs.
Chapman walked and scored in the third and fifth innings and added an RBI single in the sixth and scored.
Price also threw two scoreless innings, retiring all six batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings.
Women’s Basketball
Albany’s Briley Tabor helped the North to a 74-56 win in the 15th annual FCA All-Star women’s basketball game at Brownwood. Tabor came off the bench to score five points, hitting one 3-pointer.
Tabor also won the North team’s 3-point shootout. She advanced to the final round, which pitted the top boy and girl from the North and South teams in a four-way contest.
Volleyball
Albany’s Gracie Price played defensive specialist for the North in the 11th annual FCA All-Star volleyball match.
Price was one of just two Albany athletes not on the winning side as the South won 25-21, 25-16.
Football
Albany’s London Fuentes was the other Albany athlete not on a winning team, playing for the Red in the 24th annual Myrle Greathouse All-Star Football Classic, which the Blue won 24-14.
Fuentes, who played exclusively on defense and special teams, still made an impact. He intercepted a pass from Ranger’s Lance Taylor in the first half and finished with five tackles.
Cheerleading
Albany’s Ella Webb and Brooke Kayga put in a long day Saturday, performing at both volleyball and football. The two were among 17 who cheered on the players at the two events.
Albany cheerleader sponsor Nickie Levereidge was one of the cheer coaches for the Abilene events.
“It was an amazing time,” Leveridge said. “The girls all bonded and came together. They learned cheers and dances and performed almost flawlessly at the games.”
In addition to cheering during the games, the Abilene cheer squad performed a dance routine at halftime of the football game.
