By Sam Waller

Two senior players from the 2023 Albany Lions baseball team have been recognized for their work in the classroom.

Recent graduates Cole Chapman and Keatin Russell were named to the Texas High School Association’s academic all-state baseball team. Chapman, who played shortstop and pitcher, was named to the second team. Russell, a designated hitter and outfielder, received honorable mention.

“It’s a good honor for them,” Lions baseball coach David Fairchild said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club firmed up plans for the coming school year at its Monday, July 24 meeting at The Feed Store.

“We had a good turnout and covered several topics for this upcoming season,” Booster Club president Cari Heatly said.  “We went over team parent signup and had several parents sign up, but I know they are still needing spots filled.”

Anyone wishing to serve as a team parent should contact Heatly at 325-762-5137 or Ginny Ivy at 325-725-3005. Volunteers may also message the Albany Athletic Booster Club on Facebook.

By Sam Waller

New coach Donnie Hart expects Albany’s cross country athletes to hit the ground running as preseason workouts begin at 6:30 a.m. Monday, July 31.

“We’re trying to build some excitement, so we’ve  got a good, tough two-a-day schedule set up,” Hart, who will also coach girls basketball, said. “We’ll do some early morning runs and hill training, try to get the endurance built up, then come back in the afternoons and do core workouts.”

Afternoon workouts, which will be held every other day, will begin at 4:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions got an early start on volleyball season last weekend at the Jon Smith Memorial Tournament at AYSA in Abilene.

Next up is the first official practice at 7:30 a.m. Monday, July 31.

At the tournament, played Friday-Saturday, July 21-22, Albany finished third in its five-team pool before taking second place in the consolation bracket. Two Albany teams consisting of 18 players played a total of 12 matches.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions football team gets started on its 2023 season with the first practice session at 8:00 a.m. Monday, July 31 at the fieldhouse.

Lions head Denney Faith said the first workout session will start in the green room, with following days starting on the practice field.

“It’s always exciting when you start a new year,” said Faith, who is beginning his 37th season as head coach. “You find out the personality of your team, who your leaders are going to be.”

By Sam Waller

The Fort Worth Cats select baseball team wrapped up its season Sunday, July 9 by winning the Five Tool Baseball tournament at TCU’s Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth.

Albany’s Cole Read played a big part in the Cats’ 8-7 win over Lonestar Baseball Club of Austin in the championship game, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Read, who will be a senior at Albany this fall, has handled multiple roles for the -Lions. He was named District 8-2A Catcher of the Year this season in addition to being a key piece of Albany’s pitching staff.

By Sam Waller

The final week of Albany Junior/Senior High’s summer conditioning program for boys begins Monday, July 17, while the girls program resumes following a two-week break.

The final session for the boys program will be Thursday, July 20, while the girls program wraps up Thursday, July 27.

Football coach Denney Faith said participation in the boys workouts remained strong despite an expected dip last week with the Fourth of July holiday.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s junior high 7-on-7 team wrapped up its summer season Monday, June 26 with a pair of victories against opponents from Anson and Hamlin.

Throughout its brief schedule, the team regularly competed against older opponents from larger cities. Anthony Ceder, who coached the team with Clint Chapman, said most of the teams Albany faced were select teams from places like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio with players as old as 15.

By Sam Waller

After working around Fandangle participation the last two weeks, Albany Junior/Senior High’s summer conditioning program dealt with holiday absences this week as the boys portion of the program continued.

Albany head football coach said a drop in participation at this time is typical.

“We had our morning workouts this week, but we didn’t do anything in the afternoons,” Faith said. “With Fandangle over, a lot of kids are taking their vacations now. We always have that during the Fourth of July week.”

By Sam Waller

The girls portion of Albany Junior/Senior High’s summer conditioning program concluded this week and will resume Monday, July 17 following a two-week break.

The program is open to all incoming seventh through 12th graders who plan to participate in interscholastic sports.

Albany volleyball coach M.J. Reneau, who oversees the girls program, said Lady Lions and Lady Cubs athletes are welcome to continue working out on their own during the hiatus.