By Sam Waller

Several factors combined to disrupt Brian Hamilton’s college baseball career, but he started getting things back on track in 2022 at Harding University.

A 2018 Albany graduate who earned all-state honors for the Lions, Hamilton redshirted in 2019 at Cisco College, then had the next two seasons wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic and a shoulder injury. He saw limited action as a pitcher in 2022, going 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in four appearances, making one start and working a total of eight innings.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs volleyball teams opened their season Monday, Aug. 22 by splitting a pair of matches at Abilene Christian.

Junior high teams are not allowed to practice until the start of school under UIL rules. With Albany ISD beginning the new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 17, the teams had two practice sessions before playing.

The seventh grade Lady Cubs bounced back from a first-set loss to win their match 18-25, 25-23, 15-12.

By Sidney Bartee

The Albany gymnasium wil be the site of a new elementary volleyball program.

The Albany Lil’ Diggers will be led by former Albany coach Lauren Peacock, with assistance from high school volleyball volunteers.

Participating students will be taught fundamentals of the game, including the skills of passing, setting, attacking, serving, and defense.

The program will be held Sunday afternoons from Sept. 11 through Oct. 16.

By Sidney Bartee

Football season tickets are now available for 2022.

The first game of the season is at home this Friday, Aug. 26 against Lubbock Trinity, followed by two away games in Dublin and Seymour and then two home games against Hawley and Comanche. District home games are Oct. 14 against Cross Plains, which is also homecoming, and Nov.4 against TLC.

Single varsity game tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets for junior high and junior varsity games are $4 for adults and $2 for students.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady ­Lions capped off a 2-0 week Friday, Aug. 19 with a four-set victory against Eastland at home.

After sweeping Olney 25-14, 25-12, 25-15 on Tuesday, Aug. 16 the Lady Lions defeated Eastland 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19 on Friday.

Albany (6-4) lost to Bryson 24-26, 19-25, 25-18, 24-26  on Tuesday, Aug. 23 to wrap up its season-opening homestand. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions showed big-play capability in their second preseason scrimmage, but they also had issues that will require improvement.

The Lions outscored Early two touchdowns to one on Thursday, Aug. 18 in their final tuneup before the regular season at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium. All three scores came during the controlled portion of the scrimmage on plays covering 70 yards.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs football team enjoyed a productive outing in its first scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 11.

“It went very well last week,” Bulldogs coach John Hughes said.

Moran scored eight times during its three-team workout with Trent and Brookesmith at Trent, while not allowing a score.

The Bulldogs get their final tuneup at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 (tonight) at Lueders-Avoca.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs continued building team chemistry through the first week of volleyball matches, going 1-3.

Moran played its first home match Tuesday, Aug. 16, hosting Gustine, before visiting Knox City on Saturday, Aug. 20. Results will be reported next week.

The Lady Bulldogs opened the season Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Rotan, losing 10-25, 8-25, 15-25.

By Sam Waller

Even though the pandemic cancelled his senior baseball season in Albany, and things didn’t go exactly as he hoped at Weatherford College, Ben West has worked through the difficulties and earned a spot at the next level.

West, a 2020 Albany graduate, recently signed a letter of intent to continue his baseball career at Angelo State as a pitcher.

In 12 appearances in the 2022 season at Weatherford, mostly in relief, West posted a 1-2 record with a 5.73 ERA. He allowed seven earned runs on nine hits over 11 innings with eight walks and 12 strikeouts.

By Sam Waller

Members of the Albany cross country program are continuing with their training as the first meet of the season draws nearer.

Albany will open the season Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Haskell. The runners are entered in seven invitational meets before district competition in October.

Following the Haskell meet, Albany will compete at Eula on Tuesday, Sept. 6 followed by meets in Abilene, Hawley, Hamlin, Rotan, and Anson. The District 10-2A meet is scheduled for Oct. 12 at Anson.