By Sam Waller
A total of 10 Albany student-athletes, five Lion baseball players and five Lady Lion softball players, were honored for the achievements this spring with inclusion on all-area teams selected by the Abilene Reporter-News and Big Country Preps.
Baseball Honors
Outfielder Cooper Fairchild and first baseman Zane Waggoner were named to the ARN’s All-Big Country team, with pitcher Cole Chapman receiving honorable mention.
By Sam Waller
The team of Martinson, Martinson, and Martinson won a playoff against Wilson, Wilson, and Lamberti to claim the championship flight of the Albany Golf Club’s annual Father’s Day Scramble.
The two-day event wrapped up Sunday, June 19 at the Albany Golf Course.
A playoff was required after the two teams both shot 117 over two rounds.
Albany Golf Club president Randy Walker said the tournament weekend went well.
“We wound up with not as many teams as we’d have liked, but it was a good time,” he said. “We were happy with it.”
By Sam Waller
Albany’s summer conditioning programs for boys and girls entered its second week with participation rates holding steady.
“It’s just good, hard work,” Albany head football coach Denney Faith said. “We’ve had about the same number of kids, 20 to 25, showing up. Obviously, we’d like to have a few more.”
Summer workouts are regulated by UIL rules.
Boys summer sessions are from 7:00 a.m. to about 8:30 a.m. each Monday through Thursday until July 21, except for July 4. Workouts include weight lifting, agility drills and conditioning.
By Sam Waller
One Albany Little League All-Star team had its run in the District 5 tournament come to an end this week, with a second still playing and a third just getting started.
Albany’s Major All-Stars survived one elimination game before falling to Wylie on Monday.
The Minor All-Stars are among the final six teams in its division after taking their first loss on Monday.
The Intermediate team, which combines players from Albany and Breckenridge, began play Tuesday, June 21. Results will be reported next week.
Major All-Stars
By Sam Waller
Eight graduates from Shackelford County high schools enjoyed one last hurrah as high school athletes last week in the Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star Festival.
“Everything went very smoothly,” local FCA representative Paul Johnston said. “The kids and coaches had a lot of fun, but it was extremely hot.”
By Sam Waller
Two local children’s sports camps are accepting applications for their events in June and July.
The Albany Volleyball Camp will be Monday-Wednesday, June 27-29.
The Little Cubs Cheer Camp is set for Monday-Wednesday, July 25-27.
Cost for the volleyball camp is $25 per camper and includes a T-shirt.
Sessions will be 8:30-9:30 a.m. for students entering first through third grades, 10:00-11:30 a.m. for fourth through sixth graders and 1:00-3:00 p.m. for seventh through ninth graders.
By Sam Waller
Albany’s 7-on-7 team came up one play short of qualifying for state Friday, June 10 at the Abilene Division III State Qualifying Tournament.
After advancing out of pool play, Albany lost 13-12 to Miles on a failed conversion attempt in one of two games that determined state qualifiers. The State 7-on-7 Tournament is scheduled June 23-25 at College Station.
The Abilene tournament was Albany’s only outing in 7-on-7 this year because of the number of players involved in Albany’s extended baseball playoff run.
By Sam Waller
Albany enjoyed a good turnout this week for the start of its summer conditioning program, which got underway Monday, June 13.
Lions football coach Denney Faith said about 25 athletes attended the first two morning sessions, while Lady Lions basketball coach Tate Thompson reported about 20 girls have been taking part.
“We could always use a few more, but I know there were several who were at different camps or on vacation,” Faith said. “I think we’ll have more show up as we go along.”
Summer workouts are regulated by UIL rules.
By Sam Waller
Albany Little League’s entry in the Big Country Machine Pitch Classic won the Red Bracket on Saturday, June 11, and advanced to the championship bracket on Monday, June 13, before losing to Wylie.
In Saturday’s bracket, which Albany hosted, the team of local 8- and 9-year-olds defeated Cisco 14-11, Clyde 6-0 and Cisco 14-10.
Albany lost 16-8 to Wylie on Monday at Abilene’s Dixie Little League complex.
By Sam Waller
Albany Little League will host one of three brackets for the Big Country Machine Pitch Classic on Saturday, June 11 at the Little League complex.
Albany will play Cisco at 9:00 a.m., with Clyde and Haskell meeting in the other first-round game. The double-elimination event for 8- and 9-year-olds will conclude Saturday afternoon.
Other brackets are being played at Tuscola and Abilene. The three bracket winners and a wild card qualifier advance to a championship tournament on Monday, June 13 at Abilene’s Dixie Little League complex.
