By Sam Waller

The Albany youth basketball teams tipped off their season Saturday, Jan. 7, winning five of eight games.

The boys teams played at Jim Ned with the girls at Hawley. The sixth grade boys won both their games, while the other teams each split their two outings.

The youth teams return to action Saturday with the girls playing at Jim Ned and the boys at Merkel. The sixth grade girls start the action at 9:00 a.m. against Hawley Maroon and then play Jim Ned Blue at noon. The fifth grade girls play Merkel Purple at noon and Merkel White at 1:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions picked up their first District 10-2A win last week, taking a step forward in the progress that was begun a year ago.

The Lady Lions (8-12 overall, 1-4 district) faced a stiff test Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they hosted reigning district and regional champion Stamford, losing 60-24. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson on Friday, Jan. 13 to close out the first half of the district schedule. They will then travel down Highway 6 to Cisco to kick off the second half of district on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions claimed 10 spots on the Texas Hometown Football Class 2A Division II all-state team, including three by one player, after winning the program’s first state championship since 1961.

The all-state team was selected by the Texas Hometown Football Facebook page, which is devoted to promoting Texas UIL Class 1A, 2A, and 3A high school football, bands, and cheerleaders.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions returned from the holiday break last week to win twice by comfortable margins, evening their district record in the process.

Albany (now 6-2 overall, 2-1 District 10-2A) defeated Hamlin 66-29 on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in its first district road game, then topped Coleman 48-35 on Friday, Jan. 6 at home in the final nondistrict contest.

The Lions resumed district play Tuesday, Jan. 10, with a 56-47 win over Stamford at home. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson on Friday, Jan. 13.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Connor Hail added to his list of postseason honors last week when he was named an honorable mention selection on the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-State football team for Class 1A Division II as a punter.

Earlier last month, Hail was named first-team punter on the All-Region IV Division II team. He also earned first-team honors at running back and punter on the All-District 14-1A Division II team.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldog and Lady Bulldog basketball teams get one last chance to prepare for District 13-1A play after both struggled through winless appearances at the Gordon tournament, played Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 27-28 over the holiday break.

Moran stepped up in class Tuesday, Jan. 3 when they visited Class 2A Olney for their final nondistrict games. Results will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Haily Cox will get to continue her softball career at the next level after signing a letter of intent with Cisco College in December.

“I love having the chance to keep playing the sport I grew up playing,” Cox said. “It’s a great opportunity for me. Right now, I just hope my senior season goes out with a bang.”

By Sam Waller

Albany Youth Basketball fifth and sixth grade teams tip off their 2023 season Saturday, Jan. 7, with games at Hawley and Jim Ned.

Organizer Lauren Peacock said more than 40 players have signed up for the program this year.

“We have 10 to 11 kids on each team,” she said. “There was a great turnout. Lots of kids are ready to play their games and get on the court.”

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Little Dribblers basketball season is gearing up for its 2023 season with player registration getting underway next week.

Organizer Joe Tidwell said registration forms should be available at Nancy Smith Elementary School when classes resume next Tuesday, Jan. 10.

“If we can get the forms back by Friday, Jan. 13, that would be best, but no later than Monday, Jan. 16,” Tidwell said.

The program is open to boys and girls age 8 through fourth grade. Second graders must turn 8 by Feb. 28 to be eligible.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions basketball team entered the 2023 portion of the schedule with a 3-2 record after getting the season off to a belated start because of the football team’s state-championship run.

The Lions tipped off their season with a 44-37 loss to Haskell on Tuesday, Dec. 20, just six days after the final football game, in the District 10-2A opener for both teams.