By Sam Waller

The Albany boys track team competed in the big school division Saturday, March 18 at the Possum Kingdom Relays in Graham, competing against Class 3A, 4A, and 5A opponents.

Albany will host the Roaring Lion Relays on Thursday, March 23 (today) at the high school track. Field events start at noon. Running events will be finals-only.

At Graham, the Lions scored 40 points to place sixth in the team standings, finishing ahead of several larger programs.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions will be operating on a thin margin for error over the next few weeks after an injury left the softball team with nine players.

The Lady Lions (11-9-1 overall, 3-0 district) returned from spring break Tuesday, March 21 and defeated Cross Plains 14-7 at Webb Park. Details will be reported next week.

On Friday, March 24, Albany will host Cisco in the first of two meetings among District 8-2A’s only Class 2A teams.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions baseball team came off spring break to immediately begin District 8-2A competition this week.

The Lions (8-2 overall) hosted Hawley on Tuesday, March 21 in the district opener for both teams. Hawley won in a close 2-1 game. Details will be reported next week.

On Friday, March 24, Albany will host Anson, followed by a third consecutive home game against Haskell at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.

Lions coach David Fairchild said the key for Albany is district is to “come out and play.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany High School tennis program returned from spring break for its final tournament before district competition.

The District 10-2A tournament will be held Thursday-Friday, March 30-31 in Abilene.

Local players competed Tuesday, March 21 at Brownwood in their last tuneup. Results will be reported next week.

“The Brownwood tournament was our last chance to look at different combinations,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “The seeding meeting is Thursday (today), and district will be next Thursday and Friday.”

By Sam Waller

Weather continues to be an issue for the Albany golf program, which scrapped a planned outing over spring break and has had the boys division of the Trent tournament pushed back to Thursday, March 23 (today).

The girls division of the tournament was played Wednesday, March 22 at Shady Oaks Golf Club with Myleigh Leveridge representing Albany. Results will be reported next week.

Albany’s final outing before district will come Monday, March 27 (boys) and Wednesday, March 29 (girls) at Haskell.

By Sam Waller

Albany Junior High will host its track meet Friday, March 24, in the final outing before district competition.

Albany athletic director said field events will start at 3:00 p.m. with running events starting at 5:30 p.m. Running events will be finals only.

Six schools are expected with competition taking place for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls.

The junior high district meet is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at Hamlin.

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

High school softball packets are already available, and the high school baseball packages should arrive within the next week.

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

The Albany High School track and golf pictures are scheduled to be taken in the next week or so.

By Sam Waller

Albany Little League has 160 players on 16 teams with the new season set to start Monday, March 27.

League director Paul Hamilton said he’s looking forward to another successful year for the local program.

“Come out and watch us play,” Hamilton said. “We’ll start play next Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We appreciate people’s support.”

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Alli Scott was the only Moran ISD athlete in action last week, scoring in four events Saturday, March 18 at the Angelo State High School Spring Break Meet.

The meet was limited to athletes who qualified for last year’s state meet and included entries from Class 1A schools through 6A.

Scott won the high jump, clearing 5-4, and was third in the 300 hurdles at 49.4. She also finished sixth in both the long jump (15-7½) and 100 hurdles. (16.4).

By Sam Waller

Eddie and Debbie Hanks of Seymour will conduct a Bluegrass gospel service Sunday, March 26 at Albany Methodist Church.

The Hankses have been performing together as part of Hanks & Company along with Klint Trammell and Stephen Foster. The group plays for churches and a variety of events in need of a traditional bluegrass sound with a positive, uplifting message.

Hazel Heidecker, wife of AMC pastor Bob Heidecker, said the Hankses offer a message of faith backed by Bluegrass music.