Winners lead the way on All-Albany Middle School teams

ALBANY — Championships are not common currency at the middle school level, which made this season’s accomplishments stand out even more across the Albany area.

The Albany Herald’s All-Albany Middle School Basketball Team honors the players and coaches who defined the season — and in 2026, that definition came with trophies, title games and programs that set a clear standard for what winning looks like.

Boys Coach of the Year

Art Anderson, Merry Acres Middle School

There was little debate on the boys’ side. Art Anderson guided the Merry Acres Middle School Braves to the Deep South Conference championship, blending discipline, depth and defensive toughness into a team that peaked when it mattered most. Merry Acres’ championship run was powered by balance and buy-in — hallmarks of Anderson’s program — and it showed throughout the All-Albany selections.

Boys First Team

Merry Acres placed King Leverette and Chayse Randle on the first team, a backcourt tandem that consistently set the tone on both ends of the floor during the Braves’ title run.

Juan Carr of Lee East Middle School Trojans earned first-team honors after a strong, steady season, while Dyson Harris of Sherwood Christian Middle School Eagles brought athleticism and energy that stood out week after week.

Anthony Carter and Jeremy Mobley gave Radium Springs Middle School Panthers a pair of first-team selections, and Laminsky Clinton of Albany Middle School Indians and Amari Huff of Lee West Middle School Trojans rounded out a deep, competitive group.

Boys Second Team

Albany Middle showed its depth with Qaiden Moore, Willie Cooper and Jerome Lindsey earning second-team honors. Radium Springs’ Braylen Bogan, Lee West’s Kingston Neal, Lee East’s Ethan Slaughter, Merry Acres’ Nehemiah Nance, and Sherwood Christian’s Bryson Gay completed a second team loaded with upside.

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Girls Coach of the Year

Brandy Black, Lee East Middle School

On the girls’ side, Brandy Black was recognized as Coach of the Year after leading the Lee East Middle School Lady Trojans to the conference championship game, a run built on fundamentals, defensive effort and consistency. Lee East’s presence throughout the All-Albany teams reflected the program’s growth and direction under Black.

Girls First Team

Lee East led the first team with Laila Patrick and Addison Savage, both key pieces in the Lady Trojans’ championship-game run.

Gloria Cooper and Nalani McDonald represented Radium Springs Middle School Lady Panthers, while Harmony Hutcherson and Ariel Odefile gave Lee West Middle School Lady Trojans a strong presence. Zy’Deriacka Harris of Albany Middle School Lady Indians and Annabelle Spooner of Merry Acres Middle School Lady Braves rounded out the first team.

Girls Second Team

The second team featured Nileah Jefferson and Bentlee Hutson of Lee West, Kennhii Feagan and Lamya Harris of Merry Acres, Brylyn Parsons and Aubree Spencer of Lee East, and Albany Middle’s Nariyah Mathis and Rishonda Butler.