By Donnie A. Lucas

Local high school athletes will be honored for their participation and achievements in sports for the 2021-2022 school year at the annual All-Sports Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 in the main gym at the high school.

The serving lines for the meal will start at 7:00 p.m., according to Albany Athletic Booster Club officer Amanda Tabor.

High school athletes will be recognized, and coaches will announce winners of various awards, including MVP honors and special memorial award winners.

By Sam Waller

Albany finished fifth out of 12 in the team standings in their first appearance since 1994 at the state golf tournament.

The tournament was played Monday-Tuesday, May 9-10 at Lions Golf Course in Austin.

Albany shot a team score of 358-352–710 to move up a spot in the final round. The Lions were among seven teams to improve on their first-round score.

“We shaved six strokes off our team score,” coach Tate Thompson said. “We ended up catching Forsan and beating them by one stroke, but couldn’t quite catch Hamilton for fourth.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took the first step in the Class 2A baseball playoffs last week, sweeping their bi-district series against Winters at Abilene Cooper.

The Lions (15-4) won the series opener 11-4 on Friday, May 6, then completed the sweep with a 12-0 victory in Game 2 on Saturday, May 7.

“We had a great weekend,” coach David Fairchild said. “The boys were focused and played well.”

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions continued their run in the Class 2A softball playoffs by sweeping their area series with Ozona.

On Friday, May 6, Albany won the series opener 12-3 at San Angelo Lake View, then clinched the sweep with a 12-2 victory on Monday, May 9 at Stanton.

Albany advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since reaching the state tournament in 2018.

By Sam Waller

Five Albany athletes will be trying to go faster, higher, and farther Friday, May 13 at the Class 2A state track meet at Myers Stadium in Austin.

For the boys team, Tye Edgar is entered in the pole vault, Cole Chapman in the triple jump, and Adam Hill in the 110 hurdles.

“Any time you go to Austin, your goal is to perform well,” boys coach Rod Britting said. “If you perform well and things work out, and you get on the awards stand, then that’s gravy. If you make it to the top, even better.”

By Sam Waller

Members of the Albany Junior High tennis claimed three division titles and another 10 top four finishes last week at the junior high district tournament at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

In the girls competition on Monday, May 2, the Lady Cubs swept the top three spots in seventh grade doubles. Zayne Le­fevre and Amber Miramontes won the title, defeating teammates Charlee Hefner and Hattie Braly in the final, while Tatum Grady and Ashlyn Miller finished third.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Alli Scott earned a return to state three times over last week at the Region II-1A track meet, qualifying in three events.

Scott, a junior, qualified for state last year in the 100 hurdles. At the regional meet, held Friday-Saturday, April 29-30 at San Angelo, she won the 300 hurdles and finished second in both the 100 hurdles and high jump.

“It took everything I had to qualify in three events,” she said. “I’m really happy to be where I am now.”

By Sam Waller

When the 2022 Albany Lions golf team tees it up at the state tournament next week, it will be continuing a legacy that dates back more than 60 years.

From 1959 through 1969, the Lions qualified for state 10 times in 11 years. The Lions won the team title in 1967, and Ross Balliew won the medalist title in 1968.

Albany went to state three consecutive years from 1992-94, twice losing playoffs after tying for third.

By Sam Waller

The ladies of the Albany High School classes of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 showed that football isn’t purely a male domain Sunday, May 1, with an entertaining Powder Puff game at Nail Stadium.

Sarah Cotter scored two touchdowns in the final minutes to help the Pink team, composed of seniors and sophomores, to a  76-71 victory over the Purple, made up of juniors and freshmen.

The event was sponsored by The Feed Store Student Council and was a success on several levels, Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins said, including the avoidance of injury.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions advanced to the second round of the Class 2A softball playoff by sweeping their bi-district series against Hawley.

On Thursday, April 28, the Lady Lions won the first game 14-6, then completed the sweep Saturday, April 30 with a 7-6 victory. Both games were played at Abilene Cooper.

Albany (12-13-1) will face Ozona in the area round. Game 1 will be played at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at Lake View High School in San Angelo. Game 2 is set to start at 4:00 p.m. Monday in Stanton, with a third game to follow if needed.