By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany youth who usually spend much of their summer vacation attending local sports camps will have to wait a little longer to see if the use of school facilities is allowed.

According to athletic director Ryder Peacock, AISD is waiting on state guidance for the use of indoor facilities for youth camps.

The UIL, which regulates student athletics in Texas, recently allowed schools to conduct conditioning and skill specific training for students participating in athletics during the next school year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany Little League action will finally get underway next week with full team practices and games following more than a two-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Local teams had gone through the draft and were preparing to start practices when the shutdown occurred, according to league president Paul Hamilton.

“We have been able to hold practices this week for groups of five or less,” Hamilton said. “Full team practices and games can begin starting May 31.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer strength and conditioning workouts for students in grades 7-12 are being allowed by the UIL starting Monday, June 8  but will come with new restrictions due to concerns for the coronavirus pandemic.

The school district has offered summer conditioning programs for both boy and girl athletes for several years, and in more recent years has been allowed to offer certain sport specific instruction.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany senior Jaleigh Morales earned places on All-Big Country basketball teams for both Class 2A and the overall Super Team, while two Albany Lions made the Class 2A second team.

Morales was named to the first team for Class 2A and later was picked for the Super Team which includes all classifications. She was named as a member of the second squad on the Super Team.

Seniors Ben West and B.J. Morris were picked for the boys Class 2A second team.

By Kathy Thomson

Moran senior November Meredith was recently named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association 1-A Academic All State Team.

“I’m proud of November for getting this honor,” said athletic director and coach John Hughes. “She showed up every day and gave me everything she had. She not only took care of business on the floor, but in the classroom as well.”

Meredith scored 116 points and pulled in 49 offensive and 96 defensive rebounds during the 2019-20 basketball season. She was also credited with eight blocks and 50 steals.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The University Interscholastic League has extended the current suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities, including both academic and athletic events, through May 3 due to concerns over the coronavirus.

The organization first enacted a suspension through March 29, but that was expanded to May 3 and might be extended again if schools do not reopen due to the virus spreading in Texas.

The suspension includes all contests, rehearsals, practices, and workouts until further notice.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany senior and standout athlete Jaleigh Morales has committed to play basketball next year at McMurry University in Abilene.

The university announced Morales’ decision last week since the usual signing day ceremonies were canceled due to both the university and the high school being closed because of statewide coronavirus precautions.

By Kathy Thomson

Earlier this month the District 20-A All-District boys basketball teams were announced, and three Moran Bulldogs were included in the honorees.

Sophomore Lyric Huskey was named to the Second Team All District.

Moran senior Harley Schafer was among those given Honorable Mention.

Sophomore Arren Hawley and Schafer were both placed on the All-District Academic team.

Top accolades were divided between players from Eula and Baird, who went one and two in district.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team was off to a strong start with a pair of wins during the first day of the Brock tournament, only to have the rest of the three-day event canceled due to rain and possible concerns over the coronavirus.

Starting the season with a 7-0 record, the Lions and all other high school teams across the state are in a two-week deferral due to the virus. The University Interscholastic League, which controls all athletic and academic contests, has suspended all practices and games until March 30.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: 

At press time on Wednesday, there were rumors that the UIL had cancelled all athletic events for the remainder of the school year, but the News was not able to confirm that in time for this edition. If that proves to be the case, most of the facts in this story are obsolete.]

By Donnie A. Lucas

High school sports statewide have been suspended through March 29 by the University Interscholastic League as part of an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, meaning all practices and games are prohibited.