High school volleyball players will return to the court next Wednesday for summer workouts, with high football players following a few days later to prepare for the 2018 season.

The volleyball girls will start practicing on Wednesday, Aug. 1, with the football program beginning on Monday, Aug. 6.

Coaches for both programs are anticipating an increase in numbers this season if all the athletes who expressed intentions to play show up for workouts, also referred to as two-a-days.

The 2018 football program will be sent to the printers next week, and everyone who still wants to help support the local high school and junior high athletes, encourage a student at the secondary school, and/or promote their business by placing an ad in the magazine-type program is asked to do so as soon as possible.

“Sales have been going well,” said Albany Athletic Booster Club treasurer Shawnee Tischler. “But we still have room for some more ads. Please get them to us ASAP!”

Photographs taken of various teams and individuals by The Albany News since the beginning of the local coach pitch, softball, and baseball seasons are available for pickup.

Summer baseball and softball packages are priced at $18 plus tax. Many of the packets have already been paid for, and although many have already been picked up, there are dozens still at the News office.

Graduation photos of the 2018 Albany High School seniors are also in, but several members of the class have not yet placed their orders.

The Albany Athletic Booster Club will meet at the high school library on Monday, July 30, at 6:00 p.m. and everyone interested in joining the organization is encouraged to attend.

Items on the agenda include turning in ads for the football program, planning the Ice Cream Supper, and discussing team parents.

Ice Cream Supper

The Booster Club will host the annual Ice Cream Supper on Monday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bank Park.

Young girls interested in learning about cheerleading and dance routines still have time to join the 2018 Cheer Camp.

The three day camp will take place at the Albany High School gym from Monday, July 30 through Wednesday, Aug. 1, and is for girls from three years of age all the way through elementary school. 

Campers will meet for two hours each evening, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.

The Albany Lion mascot and varsity and junior high cheerleaders will instruct the campers.

For the 34th year, Abilene is hosting a major 4-H youth event with the Texas State 4-H Horse Show taking place this week through July 28 in the Taylor County Expo Center Coliseum, the Boeshart Horse Barn, and the Covered Outdoor Arena. 

4-H members from all across the state are in Abilene to compete in a wide variety of events which include western riding events, English riding events, speed events, roping, and other cattle events as well as drill team events. 

New head coaches have been named for both the Moran Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs, just in time for them to get organized and ready to go for the start of the fall sports season. 

Harley Ethridge, who coached in Oglesby in 2017, is the new athletic director and head boys coach.

Dakota Fowler has been reassigned from some of her classroom duties to take over PE and girls athletics, and will be the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach.

Shackelford County 4-H member Johnnie Hise brought home two first places ribbons from the District 7 Junior and Intermediate Fashion Show held in Burnet on Tuesday, July 17.

Hise won the Intermediate division of the Construction, Everyday Living category with a jump suit that she sewed. 

The Moran ISD student made doll clothes to enter in the contest, and she won the Non-Apparel category of the Intermediate division with those.

Hise also earned a fifth place ribbon in the Natural Fiber competition with her jump suit. 

JT Holland of Moran participated in an extensive, hands-on educational camp on ranching and land stewardship at the Warren Ranch near Santa Anna July 16-20. 

Ranch Brigade, now in its sixth year, accepts youth ages 13 to 18 for approximately 25 coveted spots in the program that introduces the young men and women to the broad ranging aspects of operating a modern Texas ranch. 

The five-day program is designed to teach leadership, stewardship of the land, and livestock production. 

Children from four years old to sixth grade are invited to grab their megaphones, lace up their cleats, tune up their instruments and come “gear up for life’s big game” at the First Baptist Church of Moran sponsored Vacation Bible School Game On! taking place next week, July 30 through Aug. 3.

“We will learn about how Jesus brings joy in our life,” said organizer Jo Hise. “We will serve a hot meal, play games, and create fun crafts.”

VBS will start at 6:00 p.m. each evening and end at 8:30 p.m.