By Donnie A. Lucas

After missing out on their regular season opener and a tournament last week due to the weather, the Lady Lion softball team got on the field Monday to earn a 20-0 victory over the Cooper JV in Abilene.

Albany will play in the Stephenville tournament starting today, weather permitting. The girls are scheduled to play Springtown at 3:30 p.m. and Midway JV at 5:00 p.m. at McClesky Field at City Park in Stephenville.

The Lady Lions will play Crowley at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Stephenville High and Krum at 2:00 p.m.

Carolyn Hill (second from right), who often helps coach local tennis players as a community volunteer, works with several junior high students on their serving. The Albany High School team members were in action for the first time this week, with Hawley hosting a weather-delayed invitational meet at Rose Park in Abilene.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The 2020 Class 2A All-State Football selections were announced Monday by the Texas Sports Writers Association, and the list includes one Albany player.

Senior Wesley Estridge received Honorable Mention by the organization at the defensive lineman position.

The 2A selections included schools from both Division I and Division II.

Estridge was also named to the Class 2A second team All-Big Country at defensive lineman. He was the district lineman of the year, totaling 74 tackles (27 solo), including 18 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

By Sandy Morris

The local Little Dribblers teams continued their season with games on Saturday, Feb. 20, in the old Albany High School gym. 

The final games will start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. 

Results from last week’s games are listed below.

Boys WEEK 3

Gray 29 – Black 27

Scoring for Gray – Matthew Key 2, Ben Russell 5, McCoy Vaughn 3, Blake Britting 19.

Scoring for Black – Jathan Perez 4, Slayton Parsons 9,  Lyle Wheeler 14.

Black 31 – Red 24

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School track season is slated to start today in Breckenridge, although the weather forecast may delay or even cancel the event.

Field events are scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by running events at 5:00 p.m.

The meet is billed as a relay event, which means there are additional, non-traditional relays on the schedule while some of the usual races are not being held.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion basketball team won the bi-district title in a 57-55 barn-burner with a two-point buzzer shot against Petrolia last Saturday in Bryson.

Albany advanced to the area round against Lipan on Tuesday in Eastland, losing 75-46 in a season-ending defeat to finish the year with a 11-7 record.

Details of the loss to the state-ranked Indians will be reported next week.

The Lions  overcame a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter, capped by the buzzer basket by Barrett Beal to win the game and keep the contest out of overtime.

By Sandy Morris

Pick-up dates for the March distribution of the commodity food program will be Thursday, March 4 and Friday, March 5.

Certified eligible families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 4. 

Albany families who have been certified as eligible for the February food distribution program may pick up their food on Friday, March 5, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office. 

By Sandy Morris

Local FFA and 4-H youth braved the winter weather and participated in the recent San Angelo and San Antonio stock shows, with the San Antonio show still going on this week.

San Antonio Show

Albany FFA sponsor and ag instructor Chris Beard said eight exhibitors showed gilts Feb. 10 to Feb. 12 during the first week of the San Antonio Livestock Show.

Carter Carrion earned seventh place with his Duroc gilt.

Dear Editor:

Thank you to the citizens of Albany for your support last week during the unprecedented winter weather event and the conditions that resulted from the extreme cold. The heroes are numerous as a city faces such challenges!

Billy Holson led Albany through this time with knowledge and determination. All of the city’s employees, along with many others, worked alongside Billy 24 hours a day to keep the water and electricity on.

Countless hours were spent in freezing, miserable conditions.

By Sandy Morris

Project Graduation organizers for the senior class will hold a ‘To Go’ lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 at The Feed Store. 

The menu will include chicken spaghetti, salad, bread stick, and dessert for a donation.

Each senior has been assigned a food item to donate before the luncheon. 

Seniors can help by promoting the lunch on social media and helping deliver meals to cars. Parents can help inside by making up the to-go boxes.