When it comes to taking the next step in their basketball careers, Warren Central’s De’Aries Henyard and Chris Early are taking the road less traveled. They will both be taking their talents to Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, for the first year of its basketball program.

“It feels really good, I’m very excited to be a part of this program at Southeastern Baptist College,” Henyard said.

Early was also very excited to join his new team.

“I’m ready to start this new journey,” Early said.

The two formed a dynamic duo in the frontcourt for the Vikings, with Early holding down the middle at the center position, and Henyard slotting in at small forward and stretching out to the 3-point line as well as banging in the post.

Though their new team will have to undergo plenty of growing pains as it develops, it also provides an opportunity for players to make contributions they might not be able to elsewhere.

“What really stood out to me is that they are just starting up a new program this year, and I feel like Chris and I can be a big help to the program by being big men, working really good together, and be a big aspect to the team,” Henyard said.

Southeastern Baptist College head coach Brad Phillips felt the same way after seeing some of their film and speaking to Warren Central coach Bruce Robinson. Phillips said he expects both players to contribute immediately.

“They’re going to be a key contributor to our program from the first year, right off the bat,” Phillips said. “They’re going to see significant minutes.”

After speaking to Phillips about his vision for the team, Robinson felt confident that it would be a good spot for Henyard and Early.

“I think the school is a great fit for them, being that they’re a program that’s building,” Robinson said. “Just to have two of our guys sign after a 22-7 year, I think it speaks well for the program.”

After the impact they made in their senior seasons, with Henyard averaging 10 points per game and Early averaging 9.3, the two players will be missed on the Vikings next year.

“They were huge,” Robinson said. “I daresay without those two, we don’t have the success that we had. This senior class is a tremendous senior class, and we’re so proud of them.”

For Phillips, it wasn’t just their skill on the basketball court that made Henyard and Early intriguing prospects.

“They’re also good students, that’s the first thing I look at, is character,” Phillips said. “Are they well-coached, disciplined, and are they student athletes? Do they go to class? They have good ACT scores. That’s what we want at SBC.”

Overall, Henyard and Early were excited to not only play together at the next level, but to build something new and put their new school on the map.

“It’s a fresh start,” Early said.