By Sam Waller

Moran’s Alli Scott earned a return to state three times over last week at the Region II-1A track meet, qualifying in three events.

Scott, a junior, qualified for state last year in the 100 hurdles. At the regional meet, held Friday-Saturday, April 29-30 at San Angelo, she won the 300 hurdles and finished second in both the 100 hurdles and high jump.

“It took everything I had to qualify in three events,” she said. “I’m really happy to be where I am now.”

By Sam Waller

When the 2022 Albany Lions golf team tees it up at the state tournament next week, it will be continuing a legacy that dates back more than 60 years.

From 1959 through 1969, the Lions qualified for state 10 times in 11 years. The Lions won the team title in 1967, and Ross Balliew won the medalist title in 1968.

Albany went to state three consecutive years from 1992-94, twice losing playoffs after tying for third.

By Sam Waller

The ladies of the Albany High School classes of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 showed that football isn’t purely a male domain Sunday, May 1, with an entertaining Powder Puff game at Nail Stadium.

Sarah Cotter scored two touchdowns in the final minutes to help the Pink team, composed of seniors and sophomores, to a  76-71 victory over the Purple, made up of juniors and freshmen.

The event was sponsored by The Feed Store Student Council and was a success on several levels, Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said, including the avoidance of injury.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions advanced to the second round of the Class 2A softball playoff by sweeping their bi-district series against Hawley.

On Thursday, April 28, the Lady Lions won the first game 14-6, then completed the sweep Saturday, April 30 with a 7-6 victory. Both games were played at Abilene Cooper.

Albany (12-13-1) will face Ozona in the area round. Game 1 will be played at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at Lake View High School in San Angelo. Game 2 is set to start at 4:00 p.m. Monday in Stanton, with a third game to follow if needed.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions baseball team tuned up for the playoffs with a 13-3 senior night victory over Hawley in five innings on Tuesday, April 26 at home.

Before the game, seniors Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild were honored in a senior night ceremony.

By Sam Waller

Five Albany track and field athletes earned the right to compete for a state championship at last week’s Region II-2A meet.

Albany has had a state qualifier every year since at least 1985, which is as far back as UIL archives go.

The regional meet was held Friday-Saturday, April 29-30 at Springtown.

The Class 2A state meet will be Friday, May 13, at Myers Stadium in Austin.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High tennis team got its first taste of outside competition Wednesday, April 20, with more than 30 players competing against opponents from Winters at the Albany courts.

“The junior high tennis season is very short,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “It’s about  getting racquets in their hands, learning some rules, getting on the court, and just trying to get them some experience to see if this is something they’d like to do in high school.”

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs qualified four athletes in eight events to regional competition at last week’s area meet.

The area meet, held Wednesday, April 20 at May, matched athletes from Moran’s District 13-1A against those from District 14-1A. The top four finishers in each event advanced to the Region II-1A meet on Friday-Saturday, April 29-30 at San Angelo.

“The kids did well overall, with a couple getting some PR’s in some events,” coach John Hughes said. “Congrats to them all.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions split a pair of games last week in the final full week of the regular season.

On Tuesday, April 19, the Lions fell 10-4 to third-ranked Anson in a game that decided the top two spots in District 8-2A. Albany bounced back Friday, April 22 with a 14-3 victory in six innings at Cisco.

The Lions wrapped up the regular season Tuesday, April 26 by beating Hawley 13-3 at home. Before the game, the team’s two seniors – Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild – were honored with senior night activities.

By Sam Waller

Sarah Cotter returned to the girls singles final at the Class 2A state tennis tournament this week, dropping just five games in a trio of straight-set victories to claim the gold medal.

Cotter, last year’s state runnerup, was one of three Albany entries at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio.

Luke Marshall reached the boys singles semifinals before being forced to withdraw because of an injury, and received the bronze medal during ceremonies on Wednesday.