By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High tennis team got its first taste of outside competition Wednesday, April 20, with more than 30 players competing against opponents from Winters at the Albany courts.

“The junior high tennis season is very short,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “It’s about  getting racquets in their hands, learning some rules, getting on the court, and just trying to get them some experience to see if this is something they’d like to do in high school.”

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs qualified four athletes in eight events to regional competition at last week’s area meet.

The area meet, held Wednesday, April 20 at May, matched athletes from Moran’s District 13-1A against those from District 14-1A. The top four finishers in each event advanced to the Region II-1A meet on Friday-Saturday, April 29-30 at San Angelo.

“The kids did well overall, with a couple getting some PR’s in some events,” coach John Hughes said. “Congrats to them all.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions split a pair of games last week in the final full week of the regular season.

On Tuesday, April 19, the Lions fell 10-4 to third-ranked Anson in a game that decided the top two spots in District 8-2A. Albany bounced back Friday, April 22 with a 14-3 victory in six innings at Cisco.

The Lions wrapped up the regular season Tuesday, April 26 by beating Hawley 13-3 at home. Before the game, the team’s two seniors – Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild – were honored with senior night activities.

By Sam Waller

Sarah Cotter returned to the girls singles final at the Class 2A state tennis tournament this week, dropping just five games in a trio of straight-set victories to claim the gold medal.

Cotter, last year’s state runnerup, was one of three Albany entries at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio.

Luke Marshall reached the boys singles semifinals before being forced to withdraw because of an injury, and received the bronze medal during ceremonies on Wednesday.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions split their final two District 8-2A softball games last week and start the playoffs this week.

Albany defeated Gorman 7-0 on Tuesday, April 19 on senior night at Webb Park before falling 7-5 on Friday, April 22 at Cisco.

Seniors Ana Balliew, Kam Browning, Ansleigh Garcia, and Sara Smith were recognized during the evening.

“Overall, it was a good week,” coach Jimmy Fuentes said. “We continued to play well.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions make their bid for a berth at the state track meet this weekend at the Regional II-2A meet at Porcupine Stadium in Springtown.

Albany has 10 boys and six girls qualified in individual events and relays. The teams have qualifiers in 11 boys and seven girls events, totaling 21 entries.

Running prelims will be held Friday, April 29, with finals on Saturday, April 30. Field events will be spread over both days.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs track and field teams qualified nine athletes and relay alternates for area competition last week at the District 13-1A meet.

The Moran girls finished fourth in the team standings with 84 points, while the boys placed sixth with eight points.

By Sam Waller

Three members of the Albany tennis program will take their shots at claiming a state championship next week at the Class 2A state tournament.

Girls singles players Sarah Cotter and Sidney Russell and boys singles player Luke Marshall take the court Tuesday-Wednesday, April 26-27 at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played Tuesday with championship matches on Wednesday.

By Sam Waller

Albany junior high tennis players competed in their first event of the season Wednesday, April 20 with a dual match against Winters.

“Everyone’s going to get a game in,” Reneau said on Tuesday. “We’re just trying to get them some practice before they have to compete at their district meet.”

The district tournament will be played Monday, May 2 at Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene.

“It’s been really busy with regional and state trying to get junior high practices in,” Reneau said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions officially punched their ticket for the baseball playoffs last week with victories over Stamford and Haskell.

On Tuesday, April 12, the Lions defeated Stamford 8-2 at home behind a complete game from pitcher Cole Read. On Friday, Albany won 16-6 in six innings at Haskell.

On Tuesday, April 19, the Lions hosted district-leading Anson, losing 10-4. Details will be reported next week.