By Sandy Morris
Albany will host the first two rounds of the Major League District 5 baseball tournament on Saturday, May 29 and Monday, May 31.
Local league president Paul Hamilton said the tournament is being held at multiple host sites.
“Some of the smaller towns, like Albany and Jim Ned, are hosting the first few rounds of the tournament,” said Hamilton. “After that, all games will be played in Abilene or in Wylie.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Sarah Cotter had a longtime dream become reality last week.
The Albany junior became the first Albany girl tennis player to advance to the state meet, taking the gold medal at the Region II-2A tennis meet held earlier this month at North Richland Hills.
Last week, Cotter played at the Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio, winning the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds on Thursday to advance to Friday’s championship match, where she lost to Makenna Palacio of Mason 6-1, 6-0.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lions baseball team swept the Region I-2A regional quarterfinal series against the Hawley Bearcats last week to move on the next round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Lions (22-3-1) will face New Deal (23-3) in a best of three series that starts Thursday (today) with a double header at Moffett Field in Snyder at 2:00 p.m. Game 2 will start 30 minutes after the first game. If a third game is needed, the teams will return on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Ticket prices are set at $4 for adults and $2 for students.
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany junior athlete Sarah Cotter is competing in the state tennis meet this week, with her first match set for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. May 20.
A win will put her back on the court that afternoon at 3:15 p.m.
Cotter is the first Albany girl to ever play at the state tennis tournament, according to local tennis coach Sara Wilson.
“Sarah is a very skilled and focused player, and she has dedicated many years to the sport,” said Wilson. “Hopefully that will pay off for her this week.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Local students will have the opportunity to participate in several sports camps during the summer break, including one scheduled June 1-3 the week after school ends.
The first camp combines three sports – football, baseball and basketball – with one day of instruction dedicated to each.
The All-Sports Camp is open to both boys and girls.
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lion baseball team won two straight games in the area series last week against Ozona, advancing to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs starting Friday.
Albany (20-3-1) will face district foe Hawley (12-20-0, 5-5) for the playoff rematch starting on Friday at 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 set for 1:00 p.m. Saturday. A third game will follow the second bout if needed.
The series is set for Abilene High School, depending on the weather.
By Sandy Morris
Moran schools put the wraps on their athletic year this past weekend when a local hurdler competed at the state meet.
Moran sophomore athlete Alli Scott finished her track year landing in seventh place in the 100 meter hurdles at the University Interscholastic League Track and Field State Championships held last Saturday in Austin.
Moran athletic director and track coach John Hughes said he was very proud of Scott’s achievements during the season.
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany junior high tennis team brough home several medals from last week’s district tournament, including gold in both girls and boys doubles.
There were also several silver medals for local players, who missed out on any other action during the short season because the district meet was earlier than in past.
In addition, the eighth graders didn’t have a season at all last spring due to the COVID shutdown.
By Donnie A. Lucas
A pair of Albany jumpers made their first trip to the Class 2A UIL State Track Meet last Friday, picking up valuable experience if not medals.
Sophomore Cole Chapman competed in the high jump, clearing 6-02 to finish in eighth place. The winning jump this year was made by a Weimar athlete who cleared 6-07.
“Cole barely missed clearing 6-04, hitting the bar with his heel,” coach Rod Britting said. “If he had made it, he would have moved up to fourth place. It just shows you how close the competition was.”
By Donnie A. Lucas
Although they waited to score late in both games of the bi-district baseball series against Coleman last week, the Lions earned a two-game sweep to advance to the area round of the playoffs.
Albany will face the Ozona Lions (13-7-1, 7-3) in a best of three series starting Thursday in Hermleigh with a first pitch at 6:00 p.m. Game 2 is set for Friday at 4:00 p.m. in Hermleigh, with a third game immediately following if needed.
