By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams moved a step closer to district competition on Saturday, March 26, competing in the Buckaroo Relays at Breckenridge.

Albany has one meet remaining on Thursday, March 31 (today) at Santo before the District 10-2A meet on Friday, April 8 at Cisco.

The Albany boys scored 100 points to finish third in the team standings behind Class 3A schools Breckenridge and Eastland.

Boys coach Rod Britting said competing against larger schools has helped the team.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions softball team prepared for its first meeting with Cisco last week with a pair of radically different victories against Class 1A opponents in District 8-2A play.

On Tuesday, March 22, Albany defeated May 15-0 in a game stopped in the third inning at Webb Park. On Friday, March 25, the Lady Lions rallied to edge Eula 5-4 in eight innings in their first district road game.

On Tuesday, March 29, Albany (6-12-1 overall, 3-1 district) lost 7-6 against Cisco at Webb Park.

By Sam Waller

Albany entries won four of five draws Monday, March 28, at the District 10-2A tennis tournament at Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene.

Albany swept the team titles, winning overall, as well as boys and girls championships, with five athletes going back on Friday for playbacks to decide second and third places.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs track and field teams both finished sixth in the team standings Thursday, March 10 at Cisco.

The girls team scored 35 points, while the boys totaled eight.

“We were the only 1A school at this meet and did well,” coach John Hughes said. “We had a lot of other coaches compliment the kids on their efforts.”

Hannah Noble posted Moran’s top finish, winning the 200 in addition to placing second in the 100.

Alli Scott was second in the high jump, third in the long jump and fifth in the 100 hurdles.

Color photo packets of the youth basketball and Little Dribbler teams, taken by The Albany News, are ready for pickup this week at the News office.

High school softball packets should arrive within the next week.

In addition, a number of packages from previous sports have not yet been claimed.

The Albany High School baseball team and individual pictures are scheduled to be taken in the next couple of weeks and should be ready by mid-April.

Youth packages are priced at $20 plus tax, while the cost of school sports packages is $25 plus tax.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions softball team returned from spring break needing to fill a lineup hole, but have four weeks to work things out before the postseason starts.

As one of just two Class 2A teams in District 8-2A, the Lady Lions are assured a spot in the playoffs.

After a week off, Albany resumed district play Tuesday, March 22 with a 15-0 victory over May at Webb Park. Details will be reported next week.

The Lady Lions, who hold a 5-11-1 record, visit Eula at 5:00 p.m. Friday in their first district road game.

By Sam Waller

Albany athletes had one last opportunity to prepare for district tennis competition this week after taking a week off for spring break.

Albany visited Snyder for a dual match Thursday, March 24 (today) in its final outing before the District 10-2A tournament.

“We’re just trying to get some practice in,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “We’ve had bad weather, and we’re hoping it will get better so we can prepare and get our lineup set for district.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions baseball team tuned up for District 8-2A competition with a 5-2 victory over Merkel on Wednesday, March 16, in Albany’s lone outing over spring break.

“We had another good outing and had a pretty day,” Lions coach David Fairchild said. “It was a little windy, but we had good pitching, put the ball in play, and were able to scratch some runs.”

The Lions (6-2 overall) opened district play Tuesday, March 22, with a close 18-15 win at Stamford. Details weren’t available at press time and will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions won the small-school boys division team title Saturday, March 19 at the Possum Kingdom Relays in Graham.

Both the boys and girls teams will be in Breckenridge this Saturday for the Buckaroo Relays, which will replace a March 24 meet at Olney

At Graham, the Lions topped the field of more than 20 schools with 109 points, easily outdistancing Ovilla Christian. Albany won five events, including the 1600 relay.