Albany Middle Dominates Terrell County in Holiday Classic Showdown
The 2025 Middle School Holiday Classic commenced on December 16, 2025, at the Albany Civic Center, featuring thrilling matchups that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Albany Middle School showcased its talent by sweeping both games against Terrell County, clinching a 38-36 victory in the girls’ game and a 31-30 win in the boys’ contest, with both outcomes decided in the final moments.
Albany Girls Stun Terrell County with Late Rally
In the girls’ game, the Lady Indians faced a challenging start as Terrell County surged ahead to a 12-4 lead, largely due to Kymoriah Kimbrough’s nine points in the first quarter. Despite the early deficit, Albany Middle remained resolute. After a late push by Terrell County’s Caliyah Perry, which included key contributions from Zy’Deriaka Harris and Aniya Perkins, the Lady Indians managed to tie the game at 17-17 before halftime.
The game took another turn in the third quarter as Terrell County extended its lead again to 26-19. Albany Middle responded with determination; Harris scored on a fast break and converted an and-one opportunity, followed by a crucial three-pointer that gave Albany its first lead, 33-32, with just over two minutes remaining.
In a pivotal moment, Albany’s Rashonda Butler was fouled while scoring, but missed the subsequent free throw. Seizing the opportunity, Butler grabbed her own rebound and scored again, extending the lead to 37-34 with 48 seconds left. Although Terrell managed to score once more, they could not bridge the gap.
Harris led Albany Middle with 18 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Butler contributed 10 points, while Perry and Kimbrough led Terrell County with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Boys’ Game Ends in Nail-Biting Finish
The boys’ contest mirrored the intensity of the earlier match, featuring dramatic shifts in momentum and an unexpected power outage that paused the action. Albany Middle led 9-8 after the first quarter, but a power issue interrupted play late in the second period. After regrouping, Albany entered halftime with a 19-14 advantage.
Terrell County gradually closed the gap, finishing the third quarter down by only 24-22. With the game tied in the final minute, Terrell’s McDaniel hit a jumper, giving the Greenwave a narrow 29-28 lead with just 31 seconds remaining. Albany quickly responded; Josiah West drove through the lane for a go-ahead layup, putting Albany ahead once again with only seconds on the clock.
With just one second left, Terrell County called a timeout in a last-ditch effort to secure a win. However, Albany’s defense effectively stifled the inbounds play, ensuring the Indians secured their narrow victory.
Laminsky Clinton led Albany Middle with 12 points, while Jay Lindsey added 8 points. Terrell County’s scoring was paced by Cameron Callaway and Jayon Mitchell, both contributing 12 points.
The excitement surrounding the Holiday Classic promises an exhilarating tournament ahead, with Albany Middle School showcasing their resilience and skill in both games. As the competition progresses, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling matchups.
