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

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 Lions baseball team opened District 8-2A competition with a pair of wins.

On Tuesday, March 22 the Lions outslugged Stamford in a wild 18-15 win, then defeated Haskell 10-0 in five innings on Friday, March 25 at home.

“Those were two big wins,” Lion coach David Fairchild said. “We had beautiful weather Friday. Now we’ve got to get ready to go next week.”

Albany (7-3 overall, 2-1 district) lost 13-11 Tuesday, March 29 at Anson. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys golf team tuned up for district competition Thursday, March 24 by winning the team title at the Baird Invitational at Shady Oaks Golf Course.

All five individuals broke 90 as the Lions posted a team score of 339 on the same course that will host the District 10-2A tournament on Monday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 6.

By Sam Waller

Four members of the Albany Lions boys basketball team were honored by bigcountrypreps.com with inclusion on the website’s all-area team this week.

Cole Chapman was named as a reserve on the third team, while Coy Lefevre, London Fuentes, and Adam Hill received honorable mention. Hill was also included on the Rising Stars team of the area’s top freshmen and sophomores.

The quartet was instrumental in Albany posting an 11-7 record and reaching the area round of the playoffs despite getting a late start after football season.

By Sam Waller

Albany Little League held its opening day Monday, March 28, with a pair of games at the local complex.

In the Majors age group, the Oilers defeated the Reds 13-6 behind a two-run homer by Slayton Parsons.

In the Minors age group, the Oilers edged the Reds 18-16.

League organizer Paul Hamilton said more than 160 players are participating in the various age groups this season.

“We’re having a great time,” Hamilton said. “We want to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the games.”

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Alli Scott was the high-point girl Saturday, March 26 at the Buckaroo Relays in Breckenridge.

Scott scored 34 points, putting Moran sixth in the girls team standings.

Scott won the 100 hurdles in 16.75 seconds and finished second in the 300 hurdles (51.30), high jump (5-0), and long jump (15-0½).

Moran had five girls and five boys competing at the meet.

“I was proud of the work they put in,” coach John Hughes said. “We were the only 1A school there.”

By Sam Waller

Moran’s One-Act Play will perform “The Girl in the Mirror” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 at the MISD auditorium.

The performance is open to the public.

Moran earned regional-alternate status with its performance at the District 13-1A meet on Feb. 28.

By Melinda L. Lucas

EMS supervisor Tina Ulbrich announced at Monday’s meeting of the Shackelford County hospital board that she is resigning to take another position.

Ulbrich, who has been director of the ambulance service for slightly over two years, told SCHD directors that on the previous Friday, she had been “offered a job that is too good to turn down.” She stated that she would be here until the end of March.

By Sam Waller

Last week’s wildfires in Eastland County saw several Shackelford County residents lend a hand in battling the blazes, while more have joined the relief effort this week.

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department sent three firefighters and a truck to Ranger, according to Fire Chief Travis Gardenhire.

“We assisted with the three structure fires in downtown Ranger,” Gardenhire said.

He added that AVFD personnel fought fires until late Thursday night.