Since he was hired at Warren Central three years ago, boys basketball coach Bruce Robinson has talked about changing a long culture of mediocrity and building a winner.

On Wednesday, two of the guys who helped the Vikings take their first steps in that process reaped the rewards of their labors.

Guard Mario Doyle signed to play with Southwest Mississippi Community College and center Tristan Lowry with Hinds Community College. Both were three-year starters for the Vikings.

“I’m very happy for them,” Robinson said. “It’s something they’ve been working toward and working hard for. These are the two guys that really committed to Warren Central basketball, and to have them sign on national signing day is good for them and good for Warren Central basketball.”

Doyle and Lowry are the fourth and fifth players from Warren Central who have gone on to the junior college ranks in the past three seasons.

Gerald Glass is at Holmes, while Lowry will join guards David Robinson and Kourey Davis at Hinds.

“This is a glorious day for Warren Central basketball,” Bruce Robinson said. “It looks like we’ll have three players at Hinds next year. A little Warren Central flavor down there.”

Doyle, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, led the Vikings in scoring with 17.8 points per game this season. He also averaged four rebounds and was The Vicksburg Post’s boys Player of the Year.

He had offers from several other junior colleges, as well as the four-year program at Tougaloo, but said Southwest just felt right.

“I wanted to go somewhere I feel comfortable and accepted. I didn’t want to go somewhere where I didn’t know anybody,” he said. “I know a few of the kids down there and have some friends going for football.”

Lowry, a soft-spoken 6-foot-8 center, also said there was a certain comfort level that led him to choose Hinds. The school closest to home also offered a scholarship. His next best option was an offer to walk on at Itawamba Community College.

“It was close to home and a good school. Nice campus, and I like the coach,” he said.

Both Doyle and Lowry have some adjustments to make at the next level.

Doyle said Southwest’s coaches told him they planned to use him as both a shooting guard and point guard. He handled the ball some this season, but was mostly a scorer from the shooting guard position.

Lowry averaged a career-best 7.2 points per game this season, but could stand to add some bulk to his skinny frame to better handle the more physical junior college game.

Their coach was confident that both players will make whatever adjustments they need to and succeed at the next level.

“They’re quality people. Hinds and Southwest are going to get people that are committed to them,” Robinson said. “They’re not going to have to worry about them at night. Their work ethic is going to help them be successful.”