By Donnie A. Lucas

High school athletes planning to participate in football, volleyball and cross country have only 10 days of summer left before the start of two-a-day workouts on Monday, Aug. 2.

Summer conditioning programs ended this week for the boys, while the girls will continue to meet through July 29.

Prospective athletes for both volleyball and football were sent letters last week outlining two-a-day practices, along with several forms that must be filled out and signed by both students and parents by the opening day of practices.

By Sidney Bartee

A group of parents met last week on Monday, June 28 to elect new officers for the Albany Athletic Booster Club (AABC) and begin making plans for fall events.

Officers elected at the meeting include Ginny Ivy – president, Amanda Tabor – vice president, Sara Birkla – treasurer, and Christi Chapman and Cari Heatly – co-secretaries.

Jennifer Bowman will head up food organization for the football concession stand.

Club officers are looking for one other person to help Bowman and help organize worker sign-ups.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Local male athletes entering grades 7-12 have the chance to take part in  summer conditioning and sport specific training next week, while the girls’ program will continue on break until July 19.

The girls’ conditioning and sport specific training is on a two-week break but will pick up again on July 19 for two final weeks prior to volleyball two-a-days.

The boys worked out this week and will continue through July 22.

By Jillian Lucas

Albany cheerleaders spent three days together recently in a “home” cheer camp, with several earning All-American honors, and they are now getting ready for an upcoming event for younger girls.

Elementary-age cheerleaders who want to receive a t-shirt for the July 26-28 Cubs Cheer Camp must be pre-registered by next Monday, July 12, according to cheer sponsor Nickie Leveridge.

AHS Home Camp

Albany High School junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders participated in a home cheer camp a few weeks ago at the high school gym.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several Albany baseball players were placed on the Big Country Preps teams recently.

Senior William Webb was named to the Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team for baseball.

The award was announced Sunday by BCP to “honor players, male and female, who were the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring.”

The All-Hustle team includes players who participated in either softball or baseball during the spring.

Webb, who was also first team All-District, was singled out for his “hard work and dedication.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both Albany Little League All-Star teams moved to the consolation bracket of the All-Stars Tournament for District 5 last week after suffering two losses, but the 12U team fought back to win the consolation title on Sunday.

The 12U team edged out Abilene Northern 8-7 on June 23 to move ahead in the single elimination consolation bracket.

“We were down 7-2 at one point, but battled back to win 8-7,” coach Clint Chapman said. “Blake Britting and Pecos Duke pitched well to get the win.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany 7on7 football team competed at the state tournament last week in College Station.

While winning just one out of four games, the local squad was within a touchdown of winning two out of three.

The two-day event on June 24-25 brought teams from across the state to crown champions in the three divisions.

Albany competed in Division III, which includes teams from 3A Div. II and below. The Lions are in Class 2A Div. II.

The Lions lost to Eldorado 33-18 in the first round of pool play on Thursday.

By Donnie A. Lucas

 The Albany 7on7 football team is scheduled to play at the state tournament beginning Thursday (today) in College Station.

The Albany team will play in Pool H, which also includes Gunter, Mildred, and Eldorado. The Lions will play each of the other teams in the pool to determine which groups advance into bracket play on Friday.

Albany’s pool games are set for 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, according to coach Anthony Ceder.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany baseball players have been recognized with places on the 2A All-State Baseball Teams for 2021.

Senior Jackson Chapman was named to the 2021 Elite All-Star Team as a third baseman. He was picked for the 2A All-State Team as a second team third baseman as well.

Senior Cade Neve also received a second team spot on the 2A All-State squad as a pitcher.

The Albany Lions finished the 2021 season with a 22-5-1 overall record that included a 10-0 finish in District 8-2A for the district championship.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer conditioning and limited sport-specific training for students entering grades 7-12 are being held Monday through Thursday mornings at the high school.

The conditioning and football specific training for boys started last week and will continue through July 22, while the girls’ summer program began on June 7 and will continue through the month of June. The girls will take the first week of July off, but they will return for two more weeks of training in July.