By Melinda L. Lucas

After several game cancellations and delays because of conflicts, absences, and occasional bad weather, photos of all spring youth league teams have been completed by the Albany News staff.

All-star and tournament teams might be taken over the next few weeks, but all regular groups of softball, t-ball, coach pitch, intermediate, and Little League teams are completed.

Packages ordered by parents for these players have been processed and are available for pickup.

By Sam Waller

The co-ed Midnight Slow Pitch Softball Tournament to benefit the Albany Softball Association still has eight openings for its 16-team field as the entry deadline arrives.

Deadline to register teams for the event, which benefits the Albany Softball Association, is Thursday, May 25 (today).

Organizer Malarie Sutton said the tournament, scheduled for Friday-Saturday, June 9-10, is still on despite the openings.

By Sam Waller

The Feed Store’s second annual Powder Puff flag football game took some juggling of schedules to get in after being delayed because of wet grounds earlier this month, but eventually accomplished its task.

Senior Briley Tabor was involved in four touchdowns as the Pink team (seniors and freshmen) defeated the Purple (juniors and sophomores) 42-31 on Wednesday, May 17 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Rebels 12U softball team finished third last weekend at the USA District 11 tournament, played Friday-Sunday, May 19-21 at Abilene.

The Rebels went 6-2 for the weekend, coming within a game of playing for the championship in the 22-team field.

“Everything those girls had, they left it on the field,” Rebels coach Beth Roysdon said. “Tate Thompson and I are both extremely proud of them. They worked their tails off and deserved every bit of it.”

By Sam Waller

Albany coaches are offering two sports camps over the next two weeks for students entering kindergarten through ninth grade for the 2023-24 school year.

The Albany Lions & Lady Lions All-Sports Camp will run Tuesday-Thursday, May 30-June 1, offering instruction by David Fairchild and Ryder Peacock in baseball, football, and basketball.

Albany High School graduating senior Ella Webb has been awarded the Nancy and Ted Paup Big  Country Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship fund is managed by the Community  Foundation of Abilene.

The Community Foundation awarded a combined $14,000 in scholarships to area students during an awards ceremony Sunday, May 7 at the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Museum located in the Mall of Abilene.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will put the finishing touches on the 2022-23 school year at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 26, with high school graduation at Cisco College Auditorium.

Eight seniors will receive their diplomas, doubling last year’s senior class.

Chloe Hendricks has been named valedictorian, with Emily Murk named salutatorian.

Other members of the Class of 2023 are Alyssa Allred, Alayna Baker, Daphani Crews, Samantha Hinkle, Alli Scott, and Tyler Waddell.

By Sam Waller

After months of planning and fundraising, members of the Albany High School Class of 2023 will enjoy the fruits of their Labors Friday, May 26 with the annual Project Graduation party.

The final touches are being applied this week by parents and community members in charge of the event.

Andrew “Drew” Alexander Rodriguez, beloved father, son, brother, grandson and nephew.

Celebration of Life services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Beltway Park Church South Campus at 10:00 am. Graveside service and burial will be at the Albany cemetery following the celebration service.

Born April 26, 2000 in Stephenville, Texas to Wendy and Pedro Rodriguez Jr. Andrew was full of life and love from the moment God blessed this world with his presence. He was the first born, first grandson and first nephew on both sides, stealing the hearts of everyone around him.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A crowd of over 360 students, parents, and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play, and FCCLA.

Sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD, the event recapped the academic and co-curricular successes of the school year.

The group was welcomed by superintendent Jonathan Scott, proceeding to the buffet line for the meal prepared by Joe Allen’s Barbecue of Abilene.