By Sam Waller

Albany junior high tennis players competed in their first event of the season Wednesday, April 20 with a dual match against Winters.

“Everyone’s going to get a game in,” Reneau said on Tuesday. “We’re just trying to get them some practice before they have to compete at their district meet.”

The district tournament will be played Monday, May 2 at Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene.

“It’s been really busy with regional and state trying to get junior high practices in,” Reneau said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions officially punched their ticket for the baseball playoffs last week with victories over Stamford and Haskell.

On Tuesday, April 12, the Lions defeated Stamford 8-2 at home behind a complete game from pitcher Cole Read. On Friday, Albany won 16-6 in six innings at Haskell.

On Tuesday, April 19, the Lions hosted district-leading Anson, losing 10-4. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady ­Lions softball team moved another step closer to the playoffs Tuesday, April 12 with a 7-2 victory over Eula at Webb Park.

The Lady Lions had the weekend off because of the area track meet.

Albany (10-12-1 overall, 7-1 District 8-2A) closed out its home schedule Tuesday, April 19, by beating Gorman 7-0 on senior night at Webb Park. The Lady Lions’ four seniors – Ana Balliew, Kam Browning, Ansleigh Garcia, and Sara Smith – were honored before the game. Details  of the game will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams advanced 21 of 24 entries to regional competition Thursday, April 14 at the area meet at Graham’s Newton Field.

The top four finishers in each event at the area meet, which pitted athletes from District 9-2A against Albany’s District 10-2A, qualified for the Region II-2A meet. The regional meet is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, April 29-30, at Porcupine Stadium in Springtown.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions golf team is heading to state after finishing second in the boys team standings at the Region II-2A tournament.

The regional tournament was played Monday-Tuesday, April 18-19 at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris.

Albany carded a 36-hole team score of 667, finishing 45 shots back of winner Lindsay in the 16-team field. The Lions were four strokes ahead of third-place Hamilton.

By Sam Waller

Moran claimed a pair of third place finishes at the District 13-1A tennis tournament March 30-31 at Eastland.

The girls doubles team of Emily Murk and Samantha Hinkle and the boys doubles team of Ellis Hise and Tyler Waddell both will serve as alternates to the Region II-1A tournament Friday-Saturday, April 22-23, at San Angelo.

By Sam Waller

The Moran boys and girls track team tuned up for district competition by competing in the Pirate Relays at Priddy last Friday, April 8.

Moran is competing in the District 13-1A meet Thursday, April 14 (today), at May. The top four finishers in each event advance to the area meet with District 14-1A on Wednesday, April 20 at May.

The Lady Bulldogs finished fourth in the team standings at Priddy last week with 73 points, while the boys were 13th with nine points.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions started the second half of the District 8-2A softball schedule with an offensive explosion, defeating Cross Plains on Tuesday, April 5 on the road.

Lady Lions coach Jimmy Fuentes announced that the Friday, April 8 game at May that was initially postponed has been completely cancelled and will not be made up since it will not affect the playoff race. Also, the game scheduled for Thursday, April 14 (today), at Cisco has been rescheduled for Friday, April 22 because of the  area track meet.

Parents of local Little League, coach pitch, t-ball and softball league participants are asked to be aware of upcoming plans to take team and individual pictures of players.

“Because there are so many teams, we’re trying to schedule everything in a timely manner, and we’re certainly aware that not everyone will be at every game,” said Melinda Lucas of The Albany News. “We’ll just do the best we can, and try to get as many people there as possible.”

Lucas said that she will watch the weather and get word to the coaches about scheduling or changes.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions baseball team started fast in their lone outing last week to defeat Hawley 18-7 in five innings.

The Lions scored 11 runs in the first inning on Wednesday, April 6, sending 15 batters to the plate. The game, which wrapped up the first half of the District 8-2A schedule, was delayed a day because of wet grounds at Hawley following rain early in the week.

“We hit the ball well, had a good pitching performance, and took care of business,” coach David Fairchild said. “It was a good win.”