Arlington High School juniors Carter Mckay and Eli Deberry have recently committed to play baseball at the collegiate level for the University of Memphis. McKay, having played baseball and football since the age of 5, but he recently dropped playing football altogether in order to focus on his expanding baseball career. He says that focusing on baseball has really improve his skill and opportunities to move forward in his athletic career. Carter also says that his past coaches, family, and friends are his biggest supporters and motivate him to keep playing.

Eli Deberry has a similar story. Deberry moved to Memphis from Jackson, Tennessee, recently, and has already committed to the University of Memphis. He, like Carter, has been playing baseball from a very young age and is excited to continue his athletic career here amongst family and the new friends he has made. He says that his family are his biggest supporters, and his grandfather in particular is his biggest motivator.

The interesting aspect about these two seemingly ordinary athletes, is that they are best friends who committed just 35 minutes after one another. McKay announced his verbal commitment to the University of Memphis on September 24 on the way home from a baseball tournament and Deberry was not far behind. This new friendship will only be a blessing to the Memphis baseball team when the two sign to play next year, and join the team in 2024.