Albany Junior/Senior High student-athletes remain active this summer with steady participation in conditioning programs and the conclusion of summer league competitions.

The boys’ summer conditioning program continues Monday through Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., with an average of about 30 athletes showing up each morning.

“We’re still doing morning conditioning, but no sport-specific football yet,” head coach Denney Faith said. “We’ve got 7-on-7 going right now, and we’ll see when we start the rest.”

Albany’s 7-on-7 team will open pool play Thursday morning at the Division III State Tournament in College Station, returning to the event after missing out last summer.

The Lions will compete in a four-team pool that includes Hico, Tidehaven, and Wolfe City. Albany is scheduled to face Hico at 10:00 a.m., Tidehaven at 11:30 a.m., and Wolfe City at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the 16-team championship bracket on Friday, while the others will compete in a single-elimination consolation bracket.

Albany High School cheerleaders wrapped up a three-day NCA home camp June 22–24, with both varsity and junior varsity squads participating in 22 hours of instruction.

Led by a National Cheerleaders Association instructor, the camp emphasized game day experience, sideline spirit, jumps, stunts, and team building. Cheerleaders stayed together for the duration of camp, creating what sponsor Lauren Peacock described as “a great bonding experience that helped set the tone for the year.”

The Albany Golf Club’s 100th anniversary celebration teed off in style this past weekend, with 40 teams and 120 players participating in the Centennial Classic tournament. The two-day event included morning and afternoon flights on both Friday and Saturday, with strong attendance and competitive scores.

On Saturday, between rounds, club members gathered for a commemorative photo—recreating a tradition from the 1920s when the club was first established.

By Melinda Lucas

Albany’s 7-on-7 team is on the practice field this week as players get ready for their upcoming trip to the Division III State Tournament, set for June 26-27 in College Station.

Albany punched its ticket at an Abilene state qualifier on June 6 with four straight wins – beating Merkel, Dublin, Miles, and edging Tolar 21-19 in the championship – to earn its sixth trip to the state event since 2015 and the first since 2023.

The Albany 7-on-7 football team earned a trip to the state tournament after going undefeated in four games at a Division III state qualifying tournament held Friday, June 6, in Abilene.

Albany played all of its games at The Fieldhouse, while the other half of the tournament took place at the Shotwell Annex. The Lions opened pool play with a 20–14 win over Merkel, followed by a 35–13 victory over Dublin in the second game. They wrapped up pool play with a 33–20 win over Miles to finish 3–0 and claim the top spot in their bracket.

Three senior athletes from Albany and Moran represented their schools at the 2025 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival held last week in Abilene and Brownwood.

Albany’s Abi Hale competed in the Bev Ball All-Star Volleyball Classic, held Thursday, June 5, at Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum. Her classmate Myleigh Leveridge served as an FCA all-star cheerleader during the volleyball game, both basketball games, and the 26th annual Myrle Greathouse All-Star Football Classic on Saturday, June 7, at Shotwell Stadium.

Albany High School cheerleaders are inviting incoming Pre-K through sixth grade students to participate in their annual Mini Cheer Camp, set for July 28–30 at the AHS gym. Camp will run each morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Participants will learn cheers, chants, and basic routines from the Albany High School cheer squad and coaching staff.

The registration fee is $40 and includes a camp T-shirt. Organizers are asking families to register early to ensure each camper receives the correct shirt size. The registration deadline is Sunday, July 21.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A trio of senior athletes – two from Albany and one from Moran – will represent their two schools at the 2025 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival taking place this week in Abilene and Brownwood.

Albany’s Abi Hale is slated to take the court in the Bev Ball All-Star Volleyball Classic, which begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Moody Coliseum on the Abilene Christian University campus. 

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany Little League teams closed out district tournament play last week and now look ahead to All-Star season, which begins this week with practices and pool play.