By Sam Waller

Albany Lady Lions volleyball coach M.J. Reneau greeted 21 players for the team’s opening workout Monday, July 31 to begin preparations for the upcoming season.

The Lady Lions conducted four days of two-a-day practices before hosting Benjamin for a scrimmage at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

With a wealth of returning experience, Reneau said the Lady Lions were able to quickly get into the swing of things during the first workout.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions officially began life as defending state champions Monday, July 31 with the first practice of the 2023 football season.

Head coach Denney Faith had 39 players on hand for the first workout with a couple more expected to report later in the week.

“I think some of them came in pretty good shape, and some of them are going to have to get better,” Faith said on Monday afternoon. “For the most part, I thought the first session was pretty productive.”

By Sam Waller

The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association exceeded its fundraising goal with its three-person golf scramble, held Saturday-Sunday, July 22-23, at Albany Golf Course.

The team of Owen, Carson, and Membrilay shot 115 over 36 holes to win the championship flight by three strokes over Kitchens, Barrett, and Walker.

Organizer Reggy Spencer said more than $15,000 was raised to help with the renovation of the Shackelford County livestock barn.

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.