By Sam Waller

Albany Little League held its opening day Monday, March 28, with a pair of games at the local complex.

In the Majors age group, the Oilers defeated the Reds 13-6 behind a two-run homer by Slayton Parsons.

In the Minors age group, the Oilers edged the Reds 18-16.

League organizer Paul Hamilton said more than 160 players are participating in the various age groups this season.

“We’re having a great time,” Hamilton said. “We want to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the games.”

By Sam Waller

Four members of the Albany Lions boys basketball team were honored by bigcountrypreps.com with inclusion on the website’s all-area team this week.

Cole Chapman was named as a reserve on the third team, while Coy Lefevre, London Fuentes, and Adam Hill received honorable mention. Hill was also included on the Rising Stars team of the area’s top freshmen and sophomores.

The quartet was instrumental in Albany posting an 11-7 record and reaching the area round of the playoffs despite getting a late start after football season.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys golf team tuned up for district competition Thursday, March 24 by winning the team title at the Baird Invitational at Shady Oaks Golf Course.

All five individuals broke 90 as the Lions posted a team score of 339 on the same course that will host the District 10-2A tournament on Monday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 6.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions baseball team opened District 8-2A competition with a pair of wins.

On Tuesday, March 22 the Lions outslugged Stamford in a wild 18-15 win, then defeated Haskell 10-0 in five innings on Friday, March 25 at home.

“Those were two big wins,” Lion coach David Fairchild said. “We had beautiful weather Friday. Now we’ve got to get ready to go next week.”

Albany (7-3 overall, 2-1 district) lost 13-11 Tuesday, March 29 at Anson. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams moved a step closer to district competition on Saturday, March 26, competing in the Buckaroo Relays at Breckenridge.

Albany has one meet remaining on Thursday, March 31 (today) at Santo before the District 10-2A meet on Friday, April 8 at Cisco.

The Albany boys scored 100 points to finish third in the team standings behind Class 3A schools Breckenridge and Eastland.

Boys coach Rod Britting said competing against larger schools has helped the team.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions softball team prepared for its first meeting with Cisco last week with a pair of radically different victories against Class 1A opponents in District 8-2A play.

On Tuesday, March 22, Albany defeated May 15-0 in a game stopped in the third inning at Webb Park. On Friday, March 25, the Lady Lions rallied to edge Eula 5-4 in eight innings in their first district road game.

On Tuesday, March 29, Albany (6-12-1 overall, 3-1 district) lost 7-6 against Cisco at Webb Park.

By Sam Waller

Albany entries won four of five draws Monday, March 28, at the District 10-2A tennis tournament at Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene.

Albany swept the team titles, winning overall, as well as boys and girls championships, with five athletes going back on Friday for playbacks to decide second and third places.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs track and field teams both finished sixth in the team standings Thursday, March 10 at Cisco.

The girls team scored 35 points, while the boys totaled eight.

“We were the only 1A school at this meet and did well,” coach John Hughes said. “We had a lot of other coaches compliment the kids on their efforts.”

Hannah Noble posted Moran’s top finish, winning the 200 in addition to placing second in the 100.

Alli Scott was second in the high jump, third in the long jump and fifth in the 100 hurdles.

Color photo packets of the youth basketball and Little Dribbler teams, taken by The Albany News, are ready for pickup this week at the News office.

High school softball packets should arrive within the next week.

In addition, a number of packages from previous sports have not yet been claimed.

The Albany High School baseball team and individual pictures are scheduled to be taken in the next couple of weeks and should be ready by mid-April.

Youth packages are priced at $20 plus tax, while the cost of school sports packages is $25 plus tax.