By Donnie A. Lucas The Lady Lions closed out the 2020-2021 basketball season with a pair of losses last week. The varsity ended the season with an overall 6-8 record, including a 3-7 district mark. “This was really a tough year in a really tough district,” coach Tate Thompson said.

By Donnie A. Lucas The Lion basketball team finished the regular season with three wins, the final two at home. Albany is currently in third place behind Cisco and Anson, who will battle on Friday in their season finale that will decide the final district standings.

By Donnie A. Lucas The Albany Youth Basketball League played games on the road last Saturday, with the final day of double elimination bracket play tournaments to be held this Saturday for the boys’ teams. The girls’ teams will be unable to compete due to conflicts.

By Sandy Morris The Moran varsity girls and boys basketball teams are both in the middle of district competition with both teams hosting Cross Plains on Friday, Jan. 29. Both teams are scheduled to travel to Rising Star on Friday, Feb. 5.

By Sandy Morris Even though it’s still cold outside, it isn’t too soon to start thinking about spring sports, and the Albany Girls Softball Association is ready for action. Jacey Shack, president of AGSA, said board members met last Wednesday, Jan. 27 and set registration dates and fees.

By Donnie A. Lucas Workouts for softball and baseball have started in the last week, with track practices starting Monday for high school. With basketball season still in session, there will be some overlap especially on the boys side.

By Sandy Morris Albany High School athlete Wesley Estridge continues to have an exceptional season at area powerlifiting meets, improving his state ranking after posting a personal best last week.

By Donnie A. Lucas Three of the five junior high teams ended the season on Monday with wins over Stamford. Both girls teams won in Stamford, with the White team wrapping up a 7-2 season and the Red team finishing with a 5-3 record. The White team earned a 41-14 victory over Stamford.

By Donnie A. Lucas Three Albany volleyball players have been selected for positions on the Texas Sports Writers Class 2A All-State team. The annual recognition was released Jan. 30 for the 2020 volleyball season. Junior Sarah Beth Cotter was picked for first team middle blocker.

By Sandy Morris Registration continues for Albany Little League teams, including T-ball, Coach Pitch, Little League Majors and Minors, Intermediate, and Junior League, and will end on Monday, Feb. 8.