Veteran sportswriter Robert Wilson, who spent 23 years at The Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News, has unveiled the 2026 All‑Metro Jackson Baseball Team, a 28‑player lineup that also includes a Coach and a Player of the Year. The announcement marks the seventh annual edition of the team, a milestone that underscores Wilson’s deep roots in Metro Jackson high school sports.
The selections draw talent from Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties, encompassing a mix of public and private schools that have shaped the region’s baseball landscape over the past decade. Wilson’s long‑standing involvement in choosing All‑Metro teams across multiple sports lends authority to the roster.
Coach and Player of the Year
Justin Reed of Jackson Academy was named Coach of the Year, recognizing his leadership that guided his squad to a standout season. Deuce Jenkins, also from Jackson Academy, earned Player of the Year honors after delivering a performance that highlighted both power and precision at the plate.
The first team showcases standout athletes such as Rhett Taylor, Dalton Pixley and Gage Temple, while the second team features emerging talents including Crews Albritton, Luke Wesson and Alex Lambert. Together, these players represent the breadth of skill that defines the 2026 Metro Jackson baseball scene.
Beyond the headline names, the full 28‑player list includes Will Bizot, Nelson Barthel, Henry Abt, Tai Jones, Justin Word, Maddox Culpepper, Whit Davis, Noah Flynn, Holt Adams, Steven Lee, Braylon Edwards, Ethan Dodson, Cameron Thompson, Stone Crain, Reed Sandberg, Grady Smith, Gunnar Swanson, Gabriel Estel and Jackson Meehan. Their diverse backgrounds and achievements reflect the competitive depth across the participating schools.
Wilson’s extensive coverage of high school sports in the Metro Jackson area, spanning more than half of his 23‑year career, provides the context that makes this year’s team both a celebration of current excellence and a nod to the region’s enduring baseball tradition.