By Melinda L. Lucas

A recap of Albany High’s athletic success during the 2022-2023 school year was given at the annual Athletic Banquet on Tuesday, including the announcement of several special memorial awards.

Coaches for each sport also recognized their teams, along with handing out various sport-specific awards.

Eleven senior athletes were presented a total of 13 special awards in memory or honor of local citizens who exemplified special qualities.

The banquet was sponsored by the Albany Athletic Booster Club.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions were looking at elimination from the Class 2A baseball playoffs and didn’t like what they saw.

The Lions (21-3) rallied to defeat the Eldorado Eagles in three games to win their area series and advance to the regional quarterfinals against Hamilton, which defeated Colorado City 10-0 in a one-game playoff.

By Sam Waller

Albany juniors Adam Hill and Kiana Roberson had big goals for the Class 2A state track meet, held Friday, May 12, at Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Hill achieved part of his, winning the 300-meter hurdles and finishing a close second in the 110 hurdles.

“I just had to stay with the No. 1 seed in both races and focus on my technique and stuff I’ve been working on all year long,” Hill said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took the first step in the Class 2A baseball playoffs Friday, May 5, sweeping Miles in a bi-district series played at Sweetwater.

The Lions (19-2) will meet Eldorado (15-5) in the area round on Thursday, May 11 (today), at Liberty Hill. The series winner will play either Hamilton or Colorado City next week in the regional quarterfinals.

By Sam Waller

After securing Moran’s first state track gold medal in 50 years last year, Alli Scott is looking to increase the total Saturday, May 13, at the Class 1A state meet.

The Class 1A meet will be held in conjunction with the Class 6A meet at Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Scott, headed to state for the third year in a row, is the defending champion in the 100-meter hurdles. She also claimed silver in the 300 hurdles.

By Sam Waller

Students at Nancy Smith Elementary School will have a day to run and jump Tuesday, May 23, at the annual track meet and field day.

Principal John Gallagher said the events are being combined into one day this year after being held separately in 2022.

Gallagher said students should report to school as normal before being bused to the high school track at 9:00 a.m.

Gallagher said lunch will be provided at the track with students being bused to Webb Park for the rest of the day following the meal.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Athletic Booster Club will honor the achievements of Lion and Lady Lion teams Tuesday, May 16 at the annual athletic awards banquet.

The school year has seen Albany advance to the postseason in nine sports and state competition in four. And it’s not over yet. The baseball team is playing for an area title this week, and the boys golf team will make its second straight appearance at the state tournament May 22-23.

The banquet will start at 7:00 p.m. at the high school gym. A fajita meal is being catered by the Icehouse.

By Sam Waller

Albany will have five entries vying for titles Friday, May 12, at the Class 2A state track and field meet.

The competition gets underway at 9:00 a.m. Friday at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin with field events and the 3,200. Other running events will start at 5:00 p.m.

The Class 2A meet will be held in tandem with the Class 5A meet.

By Sam Waller

Moran senior Alli Scott won three events at the Region II-1A track meet to earn a trip to state for the third year in a row.

The Class 1A state meet will be Saturday, May 13 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this young lady,” Moran coach John Hughes said. “She has worked extremely hard to get to this point.  Hopefully, she can pull off the trifecta at the state meet, as well.”

Last year, Scott won the 100-meter hurdles, Moran’s first state gold medal since 1972, and finished second in the 300 hurdles.

By Sam Waller

Weather brought an early end to the evening, but Albany Little League again had a sizable contingent Tuesday, April 25 at Crutcher Scott Field for Abilene Christian’s home baseball game against No. 14 Texas Tech.

The Wildcats led 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when play was stopped.