By Sam Waller

Basketball season tips off for Albany high school and junior high teams over the next few days, although the varsity boys schedule is once again on hold pending the football team’s playoff run.

Action began Tuesday, Nov. 8, with the Lady Lions scrimmaging Coleman at home. The girls open the season at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 against Paint Creek at home.

Junior high girls and boys begin play Monday, Nov. 14 against Abilene Christian.

The JV boys are scheduled to open their season Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Abilene TLC tournament.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions saw a promising season come to an unexpectedly early end last week with a loss to Sonora in the first round of the Class 2A volleyball playoffs.

Albany finished the season with a 24-8 record and a share of the District 6-2A championship. Postseason hopes were dashed with an 18-25, 22-25, 23-25 loss to the Lady Broncos on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at San Angelo Lake View.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions wrapped up the District 6-2A Division II championship Thursday, Nov. 3 by beating Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy 67-0 on Senior Night at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions (8-2 overall, 5-0 district) open the playoffs at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 against Eldorado in a Class 2A Division II bi-district game at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl. The Lions enter the postseason ranked No. 6 in the state by Dave Campbell’s Texas football magazine, moving up a spot in the final poll.

By Sam Waller

Low numbers finally caught up to the Moran Bulldogs as injuries left the team without enough players for the final game of the season.

After falling to Paint Rock 72-22 on Friday at Bulldog Field, Moran will be forced to forfeit its season finale against Rising Star.

The junior high team will close out its season at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Rising Star.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs won a bi-district volleyball crown and will advance to the next round after defeating Three Way Tuesday night in Dublin.

The win came after deadline time, so details will be reported next week.

The area playoff against the Rochelle Lady Hornets is set for Saturday, Nov. 5 at Rising Star, starting at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Last Week’s Games

The Lady Bulldogs improved their position in the standings last week by beating Rising Star in a district tiebreaker.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams made what was supposed to be their final home appearances Thursday, Oct. 27, beating Hamlin at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Cubs close out their season Thursday, Nov. 3 (tonight), against Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy, once again at Nail Stadium.

The games were moved from Abilene and will form a tripleheader with the varsity game between the schools. The varsity game was moved up a day from Friday, Nov. 4.

Against Hamlin, the seventh grade won 36-6, while the eighth grade won 30-20.

By Sam Waller

The season came to an abrupt end for the Albany Lady Lions Tuesday night when they lost their bid for a bi-district title to Sonora, the third place team from District 5-2A.

The game, played at San Angelo Lake View, was over in three sets, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23. Details will be reported next week.

Albany finishes with a 24-9 overall record and 7-1 in district.

Reneau’s 100th Win

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, Albany closed out District 6-2A play by beating Ranger 25-8, 25-13, 25-14 on the road.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions clinched the No. 1 playoff seed out of District 6-2A Division II last week with a 55-6 victory at Hamlin.

The Lions (7-2 overall, 4-0 district) close out the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, when Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy visits Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The game, which will be preceded by Senior Night activities starting at 7:15 p.m., was moved up from Friday, Nov. 4, in part because of the forecast for rain.

By Sam Waller

The division races of the Albany NFL Flag Football League are heating up as the season enters its final two weeks.

Week 5 games start at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Albany High School track infield.

The Cowboys in the Kindergarten-First Grade division and Broncos in the Fourth-Sixth Grade division remained perfect, improving to 4-0 to lead their respective groups.

The Titans moved into sole possession of first place in the Second-Third Grade division.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs were forced to call an early halt to their game Friday, Oct. 21 in a 41-0 loss to Valera Panther Creek in the District 14-1A Division II opener for both teams.

The Bulldogs (0-8 overall, 0-1 district) make their final home appearance at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 (tonight) when they host Paint Rock. Tyler Waddell, Moran’s lone senior, will be honored before the game with a Senior Night ceremony.