Banks and Smith takes over as Warren Central basketball cheer captains

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — 

Rising juniors Alyssa Banks and Armanni Smith have been named captains of the Warren Central High School basketball cheerleading team for the upcoming school year. Banks will serve as head captain while Smith has been named co-captain under Head Coach Erica Wilson.

The captain role is traditionally reserved for seniors, but both athletes earned the positions through their leadership, work ethic and commitment to the program.

Banks embraces leadership role

Banks, a veteran member of the team, learned of her selection in April, just over a month after the end of her sophomore season.

“I felt ecstatic because I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time and I’m happy that she gave me a chance,” Banks said.

Banks began cheering in the eighth grade while in junior high and quickly developed a passion for the sport.

“When I cheer it’s like an expression and I’m about to speak through my dances and the way I interact with the crowd,” she said.

She said some of her favorite memories have come during the team’s bus rides home from events and competitions.

Over the years, Banks has earned the Viking Award and was named an All-American at both UCA and UCE camps.

Outside of cheerleading, Banks is involved in Key Club, Red Cord, National Technical Honor Society, Student Government Association and the Prom Committee.

As head captain, Banks will be responsible for helping structure the team, teaching cheers and calling routines during games and performances.

Banks is the daughter of Victoria Banks. She plans to attend college and major in biology.

Smith ready to lead by example

Smith also found out in April that she had been selected as co-captain. She said she is eager to lead through action and help motivate her teammates.

“I was so happy and honored when I found out,” Smith said. “It helps me express myself and I’m ready to help others express themselves in a way by not just talking but cheering.”

Smith’s cheerleading background dates back to elementary school when she cheered with the River City Royals and the Vicksburg Packers. After spending her eighth- and ninth-grade years on the dance team, she returned to cheerleading as a sophomore and quickly made an impact.

“Cheering is life and I love the way it makes me feel,” Smith said. “When I’m cheering, what goes through my mind is don’t mess up and you better eat or get ate,” she added jokingly.

During the past season, Smith received the Most Spirited Award and also earned All-American honors. Like Banks, she said the team’s bus rides created some of her favorite memories.

“The 2026 seniors made the bus rides so fun this year,” Smith said.

Smith is also involved in National Technical Honor Society, track and field, Student Government Association and the Prom Committee.

As co-captain, Smith said she hopes to help continue the legacy of the Warren Central cheer program both on and off the court.

Although this will only be her second season on varsity, the self-proclaimed “queen” said earning a captain position was not easy, but she is prepared for whatever challenges come her way. She plans to cheer in college and eventually become a child psychiatrist at a youth detention center.

Smith is the daughter of Jocquez Smith and Amarri Robinson.

In a few weeks, Banks and Smith will lead the team to cheer camp at Grambling State University.