By Melinda L. Lucas

After taking a week off for spring break, members of the Albany High School tennis team will be back in action on Wednesday, March 18, hosting players from Breckenridge and Anson at the local courts starting at 2:00 p.m.

AHS athletes will then participate in the Seymour Invitational Tournament, with the girls’ matches planned on March 25, and the boys teams playing on March 30 along with mixed doubles.

The district meet is set for the following week on April 6 and April 8 at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

By Kathy Thomson

Close to 40 girls are signed up to participate in the Albany Girls Softball Association this year, and the new president, Beth Roysdon, is working on schedules.

“As of now, the 8-U and 10-U are playing against Breckenridge teams,” said Roysdon. “The 8-U will compete in a tournament in Eastland on Saturday, April 4. We are also trying to get games scheduled with Anson and Stamford teams.”

District tournaments for the 8-U and the 10-U teams will be in mid-May, according to Roysdon.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite working short-handed, Albany track-sters competed in the Buckaroo Relays in Breckenridge last Thursday, placing in a number of events.

The local high school teams will compete in Hamlin on Saturday, with preliminary running events and field events starting at 9:00 a.m. Running finals will start at 3:00 p.m.

“This was our first meet of the season and we are still getting out feet under us,” boys coach Rod Britting said. “We are pleased with the times and places considering the short amount of practice time we have had.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Cubs and Lady Cubs competed at the Breckenridge track and field meet on March 3, bringing back several ribbons and recording improved times and distances.

The junior high teams were off this week for spring break, but they will compete again on Friday, March 20 at Eastland. The district track meet has been set for March 28 in Roscoe.

By Kathy Thomson

There will be a send-off for Wesley Estridge at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 13 starting at the high school and going through town towards Abilene, as the local high school junior heads to the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Region 1, Division 3 Championships in Sundown this weekend, and everyone is encouraged to cheer him on.

Estridge is ranked third in the region in the super heavy weight class, with total lifts of 1570, qualifying for the third straight year.

By Kathy Thomson

Several Moran Lady Bulldogs were recently awarded all-district basketball honors.

Sophomore Johnnie Hise was selected to the second team all-district.

Senior November Meredith, junior Dariann Hawley, sophomore Reshaley Schafer, and freshman Chloe Hendricks were honorable mention all-district.

Sophomores Hannah Rogers, Sage O’Keefe, and Harmony Slaughter joined Meredith, Hawley, Hise, Hendricks, and Schafer on the academic all-district team.

By Kathy Thomson

The week before spring break was busy for tracksters at Moran, with varsity, junior high, and elementary students traveling to various meets.

The varsity boys team tied for fifth with 34 points and girls team placed sixth with 52 points at the Cowboy Relays in Bryson on Friday, March 6. 

Medal winners included Alli Scott who won gold in the 100 meter hurdles, Dariann Hawley with two silver medals in the distance runs, and bronze medalists Arren Hawley, Johnnie Hise, and Reshaley Schafer.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Families are invited to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break and International Kite Month at a special event this Saturday, March 7 at the Old Jail Art Center. 

With the start of spring less than two weeks away, the OJAC staff is planning to observe warmer weather by creating kites from styles and designs from all over the globe, according to Old Jail education director Erin Whitmore.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lady Lions won four out of six games at the Stephenville tournament last week, bringing home the second place trophy.

Albany traveled to Anson on Tuesday for a rematch against the Lady Tigers, losing 11-8 to post a record of 8-4 for the season.

The squad will be on the road both Friday and Saturday at the Clifton Tournament, playing three pool games on Friday alone. The opening round is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday against McGregor, with a second game at 3:00 p.m. versus Connally. The third round will be at 4:30 p.m. against Reicher.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Three varsity pitchers combined for a no-hitter in the season opener Friday as the Lion baseball team shut out Abilene Christian High School 10-0.

The boys defeated Eastland Tuesday 5-2, with results to be reported next week.

Albany’s varsity will play in the Hamlin tournament starting Thursday (today) against Colorado City starting at 3:00 p.m. The Lions will return to the tournament on Friday for a 1:00 p.m. game, followed by an 11:00 a.m. bout versus Merkel on Saturday.