By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions, led by individual medalist Ayden Balliew, made the shots they needed in 36 holes of the District 10-2A golf tournament, holding off Haskell by two shots for the team title and claiming the district championship for the second time in three years.

The win qualifies the Lions for the Region II-2A tournament for the third year in a row and puts the team two rounds away from a return to the state tournament. The regional tourney will be played Monday-Tuesday, April 17-18, at Old Brickyard Golf Course at Ferris.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions had a big week on the mound and at the plate in sweeping District 8-2A baseball games against Haskell and Stamford, getting shortened no-hitters from Cole Chapman and Tyler Chapman in the run-rule victories.

Albany (12-2 overall, 4-1 district) reached the midway point of the district schedule in a three-way tie with Stamford and Hawley for first place. The Lions visited Cisco on Tuesday, April 4 to wrap up the first half of the district schedule, winning 4-0. Details will be reported next week.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions won three titles and advanced entries in all five draws last week at the District 10-2A tennis tournament, also winning the girls and boys team trophies as well as the overall team championship.

Albany will have six entries comprising 10 athletes at the Region II-2A tournament schedule for Monday-Tuesday, April 10-11, at the Richland Tennis Center in North Richland Hills.

By Sam Waller

The Moran Bulldogs returned from spring break with a busy week as athletes from high school, junior high, and elementary competed in track meets.

The junior high started things off Tuesday, March 21 at Blanket. On March 23, the high school teams competed at Blanket. On Saturday, elementary students were in May.

By Sam Waller

The Albany junior high track and field teams enjoyed a productive day Friday, March 24, as they hosted their final meet before district competition.

The junior high district meet will be held Saturday, April 1 at Hamlin. Field events will start at 9:00 a.m. with running events starting at 1:00 p.m.

Boys coach Ryder Peacock said the athletes have made good progress over the three meets they’ve attended.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions boys golf team placed second in the team standings Monday, March 27, at the Coach David Middleton Memorial Tournament in Haskell, the team’s final outing before district.

The Lions open the District 10-2A tournament Monday, April 3 at Baird’s Shady Oaks Golf Course. The final round will be played Tuesday, April 4 at Sweetwater Country Club. The top two teams and top two individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the Region II-2A tournament Monday-Tuesday, April 17-18, at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris.

By Sam Waller

The Albany High School tennis team won four division brackets and added three other top-three finishes March 21 at the Brownwood tournament in its final outing before district.

The District 10-2A tournament will be played Thursday, March 30 (today) and Friday, March 31 at Abilene. Albany has the top seed in each draw.

At Brownwood, Sidney Russell won girls singles, Jaci Chapman and Ella Webb won girls doubles, and Cade Fairchild and London Fuentes won boys doubles. In the B division, Mimi Ivy and Brooklyn Abbate won the girls doubles draw.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions bounced back from a loss in their District 8-2A baseball opener to even their league record last week.

The Lions (10-2 overall, 2-1 district) then hosted Haskell on Tuesday, March 28, winning 15-0. Details will be reported next week.

Albany plays its first district road game at 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Stamford.

On Tuesday, March 21, Albany lost to Hawley 2-1 despite holding a 5-2 advantage in hits.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions split a pair of District 8-2A softball games last week as the district schedule neared the midway point.

On Tuesday, March 28, the Lady Lions (12-10-1 overall, 4-1 district) hosted Eula, winning 1-0, and closing out the first round of district play with the first of back-to-back games against the Lady Pirates. Details will be reported next week.

After an open date on Friday, March 31, created by Gorman’s inability to field a team, Albany will visit Eula at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, originally the Lady Lions’ district bye.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams hosted the Roaring Lion Relays on Thursday, March 23, in one of their final meets before district competition.

Albany athletes were competing Thursday, March 30 (today) at Clyde’s Golden Shoe Relays in their final tuneup before the District 10-2A meet,  scheduled for Thursday, April 6 at Cisco.

Lady Lions coach Ryder Peacock said having district teams Anson, Haskell, and Stamford in attendance at the local meet provided a hint of what to expect at district.