By Donnie A. Lucas

Several Albany baseball players were placed on the Big Country Preps teams recently.

Senior William Webb was named to the Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team for baseball.

The award was announced Sunday by BCP to “honor players, male and female, who were the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring.”

The All-Hustle team includes players who participated in either softball or baseball during the spring.

Webb, who was also first team All-District, was singled out for his “hard work and dedication.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both Albany Little League All-Star teams moved to the consolation bracket of the All-Stars Tournament for District 5 last week after suffering two losses, but the 12U team fought back to win the consolation title on Sunday.

The 12U team edged out Abilene Northern 8-7 on June 23 to move ahead in the single elimination consolation bracket.

“We were down 7-2 at one point, but battled back to win 8-7,” coach Clint Chapman said. “Blake Britting and Pecos Duke pitched well to get the win.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany 7on7 football team competed at the state tournament last week in College Station.

While winning just one out of four games, the local squad was within a touchdown of winning two out of three.

The two-day event on June 24-25 brought teams from across the state to crown champions in the three divisions.

Albany competed in Division III, which includes teams from 3A Div. II and below. The Lions are in Class 2A Div. II.

The Lions lost to Eldorado 33-18 in the first round of pool play on Thursday.

By Donnie A. Lucas

 The Albany 7on7 football team is scheduled to play at the state tournament beginning Thursday (today) in College Station.

The Albany team will play in Pool H, which also includes Gunter, Mildred, and Eldorado. The Lions will play each of the other teams in the pool to determine which groups advance into bracket play on Friday.

Albany’s pool games are set for 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, according to coach Anthony Ceder.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Two Albany baseball players have been recognized with places on the 2A All-State Baseball Teams for 2021.

Senior Jackson Chapman was named to the 2021 Elite All-Star Team as a third baseman. He was picked for the 2A All-State Team as a second team third baseman as well.

Senior Cade Neve also received a second team spot on the 2A All-State squad as a pitcher.

The Albany Lions finished the 2021 season with a 22-5-1 overall record that included a 10-0 finish in District 8-2A for the district championship.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer conditioning and limited sport-specific training for students entering grades 7-12 are being held Monday through Thursday mornings at the high school.

The conditioning and football specific training for boys started last week and will continue through July 22, while the girls’ summer program began on June 7 and will continue through the month of June. The girls will take the first week of July off, but they will return for two more weeks of training in July.

By Jillian Lucas

The previously postponed Father’s Day golf tournament has been cancelled until next year.

With the new greens currently under construction, the Albany Golf Club had no choice but to initially postpone  and now cancel the annual event, according to club representative James Waters.

“With the recent freeze, it has been very difficult to find the sod we need to finish the construction on the greens,” Waters said. “We have reached out to every place we know of, and as of right now we don’t know when we will be able to finish.”

By Sidney Bartee

Members of the Albany Athletic Booster Club invite all junior high and high school athlete parents and interested community members to attend a meeting on Monday, June 28 at the Feed Store at 6:00 p.m.

The Booster Club supports all sports by using fundraisers and concession stand sale proceeds. There is no fee associated with being a member.

Those present at the meeting will discuss fall plans, the football program, and elect new officers for the 2021-2022 school year.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both the 10U and 12U Albany Little League All-Star teams moved into the consolation bracket of the District 5 tournament after losses on Monday.

Both teams were scheduled to play on Wednesday, with the winner advancing in the consolation backet of the single elimination consolation portion of the tournament. The 10U team was scheduled to play Merkel All-Stars at Abilene Northern at 6:00 p.m., while the 12U  team would follow also at Northern at 8:00 p.m. against the Northern All-Stars.

By Sandy Morris

Eight Albany High School graduates wrapped up their high school athletic careers last weekend during the Big Country  Fellowship of Christian Athlete Festival. 

Parker Henry, Cade Neve, Jackson Chapman, and William Webb sported jerseys for the North team for the 8th annual FCA All-Star baseball game in San Angelo on Friday, June 11 at Donsky Field in San Angelo. 

The South defeated the North by a score of 9-4.