Lions lose semi-final series to New Deal

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team got in trouble early in the first game of the regional semi-final series last Thursday but came back strong in Game 2 only to have a win snatched away on an error in the seventh.

Losing Game 1 by a score of 11-4, followed by a 5-4 loss in the second game, ended Albany’s season in the fourth round of the playoffs.

The Lions posted a 22-5-1 overall record, including a perfect 10-0 district count.

Summer conditioning to start

By Donnie A. Lucas

While the school year is ending today for local classes, a couple of summer programs for junior high and high school students are scheduled to start in June.

Prospective female athletes who want to stay or get in shape this summer will be able to participate in a strength and conditioning program that starts Monday, June 7, plus practicing some sport specific drills as well.

A program for male athletes will wait an extra week due to the baseball playoffs, starting on June 14.

Albany News

Local sports camps to start next Tuesday

By Donnie A. Lucas

With the end of the school year, students might be looking for something to keep them busy this summer.

There are several options including a host of sports camps during the summer break, including one that starts next week.

The first is the All-Sports camp which is set for June 1-3. The camp combines three sports - football, baseball and basketball - with one day of instruction dedicated to each.

The multiple sport camp is open to both boys and girls.

Albany News

Albany to host LL tournament

By Sandy Morris

Albany will host the first two rounds of the Major League District 5 baseball tournament on Saturday, May 29 and Monday, May 31.

Local league president Paul Hamilton said the tournament is being held at multiple host sites.

“Some of the smaller towns, like Albany and Jim Ned, are hosting the first few rounds of the tournament,” said Hamilton. “After that, all games will be played in Abilene or in Wylie.”

Albany News

Cotter takes silver at state tennis meet

By Donnie A. Lucas

Sarah Cotter had a longtime dream become reality last week.

The Albany junior became the first Albany girl tennis player to advance to the state meet, taking the gold medal at the Region II-2A tennis meet held earlier this month at North Richland Hills.

Last week, Cotter played at the Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio, winning the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds on Thursday to advance to Friday’s championship match, where she lost to Makenna Palacio of Mason 6-1, 6-0.

Lions move up to regional semifinal

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lions baseball team swept the Region I-2A regional quarterfinal series against the Hawley Bearcats last week to move on the next round of the Class 2A playoffs.

The Lions (22-3-1) will face New Deal (23-3) in a best of three series that starts Thursday (today) with a double header at Moffett Field in Snyder at 2:00 p.m. Game 2 will start 30 minutes after the first game. If a third game is needed, the teams will return on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Ticket prices are set at $4 for adults and $2 for students.

Cotter plays today in state tennis tourney

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany junior athlete Sarah Cotter is competing in the state tennis meet this week, with her first match set for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. May 20.

A win will put her back on the court that afternoon at 3:15 p.m. 

Cotter is the first Albany girl to ever play at the state tennis tournament, according to local tennis coach Sara Wilson.

“Sarah is a very skilled and focused player, and she has dedicated many years to the sport,” said Wilson. “Hopefully that will pay off for her this week.”

Local youth sports camps to start June 1-3

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local students will have the opportunity to participate in several sports camps during the summer break, including one scheduled June 1-3 the week after school ends.

The first camp combines three sports – football, baseball and basketball – with one day of instruction dedicated to each.

The All-Sports Camp is open to both boys and girls.

Albany News

Lions to face Hawley in quarterfinal series

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team won two straight games in the area series last week against Ozona, advancing to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs starting Friday.

Albany (20-3-1) will face district foe Hawley (12-20-0, 5-5) for the playoff rematch starting on Friday  at 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 set for 1:00 p.m. Saturday. A third game will follow the second bout if needed.

The series is set for Abilene High School, depending on the weather.

MHS sophomore hurdles at state track meet

By Sandy Morris

Moran schools put the wraps on their athletic year this past weekend when a local hurdler competed at the state meet.

Moran sophomore athlete Alli Scott finished her track year landing in seventh place in the 100 meter hurdles at the University Interscholastic League Track and Field State Championships held last Saturday in Austin. 

Moran athletic director and track coach John Hughes said he was very proud of Scott’s achievements during the season.