By Sam Waller

The deadline for participants from the 2023 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show to fulfill their obligations is swiftly approaching.

Exhibitors must have completed writing thank you notes to buyers and other obligations by Saturday, April 1.

Show participants must place their finished notes in a stamped, addressed envelope ready for mailing. Notes must be verified by Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard or Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Tyler Waddell and Connor Hail took third place in boys doubles Tuesday, March 7 at the Santa Anna tournament played at Early High School.

“This was our first tournament of the season,” coach Jo Hise said. “I’m very proud of how everyone played. I’m excited for a great tennis season.”

Moran had five entries in the tournament.

By Sam Waller

When classes resume on Monday following spring break, Moran ISD will have nine weeks of class remaining until the end of the school year. However, there will be minor changes to the schedule, superintendent Dr. John Denson said.

At its meeting Monday night, the Moran school board will review proposed changes to the school calendar regarding makeup dates for two class days missed because of winter weather in February.

“We’ll let the board approve the calendar amendment and make those days up,” Denson said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Softball Association will begin its season next week with 57 girls on five teams in three age groups.

Games begin Monday, March 20, with the season concluding in mid-May for teams that enter district tournaments in Abilene. The teams will face opponents from Anson, Breckenridge, Cisco, Eastland, and Ranger.

Albany will field two teams in the 8-and-under and 10-and-under age divisions, with one 12-and-under team.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany High School One Act Play earned fourth place out of seven district schools last Wednesday, March 8  to serve as alternate to the bi-district contest, and three members of the cast and crew received special recognition.

The group presented the comedy “Oz” for the judges at Haskell.

Two members of the cast received honorable mention All-Star Cast, including Landon Balliew as the Lion and Avery Everitt as the Scarcrow.

Presley Green, a member of the technical crew, received All-Star Crew.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany Chamber of Commerce is currently sending out membership notices to current members and encouraging new members to join in time for the annual Crawfish Boil set for Thursday, April 6 in the parking lot in front of the Depot.

All Chamber members are invited to attend without charge, and memberships will be available during the event for anyone wanting to attend.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s two returning state track medalists each won two events Thursday, March 9 at the Lobo Relays in Cisco, helping the Lions and Lady Lions to fifth-place finishes in the varsity team standings.

The Lions and Lady Lions maintained their training regimen during spring break and many will compete Saturday, March 18 at the Possum Kingdom Relays in Graham.

Adam Hill, last year’s silver medalist in the Class 2A 110 hurdles, won both boys hurdles races. Kiana Roberson, the 2A bronze medalist in the shot put, won both girls throwing events.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions bounced back from their first loss of the baseball season last week with a sweep of their home tournament.

The Lions (8-1) had no games scheduled this week during spring break, though coach David Fairchild said Tuesday he was still looking to add one. Albany opens District 8-2A competition at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, against Hawley at home.

On Tuesday, March 7, Albany lost 7-4 to Class 4A Vernon in its home opener.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s plans to host its annual tennis tournament Thursday, March 9 were done in by the weather, costing the program a key outing with district competition looming.

Albany will compete in the Brownwood tournament on Friday, March 24 in its final tune-up before the District 10-2A tournament.

“We held off making a decision as long as we could,” Albany tennis coach M.J. Reneau said. “We didn’t want to cancel because we still want to look at a couple of combinations with players. We hate missing a tournament whenever it’s so close to district.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions golf team took advantage of spring break to get in a practice round at Sweetwater Country Club, which will host the second round of the District 10-2A tournament next month.

Albany’s next tournament outing is Monday, March 20 (boys), and Wednesday, March 22 (girls), at the Trent tournament played at Baird’s Shady Oaks Golf Club. Shady Oaks will host the first round of district play.

On Wednesday, March 8, Albany’s Myleigh Leveridge shot 132 in the girls division of the Eula tournament, played at Shady Oaks.