Versatile senior looks to lead Central Cabarrus Vikings

For the last four seasons, Dey’Quan Heath has played a key role on the Central Cabarrus basketball team.

Heath has come a long way since splitting time on the junior varsity and varsity squads as a freshman, transforming himself and his game to become a leader on and off the floor for the Vikings.

“Dey’Quan has literally gotten to grow up in the program – from a guy who was just a role player to our all-conference, go-to guy and leader,” said Central Cabarrus basketball coach Brian King. “He can really do it all as shooter, scorer, rebounder, passer and defender. I think his versatility is what has made him so valuable.”

Heath, a 6-foot-2 senior, is filling up the stat sheet this season, averaging 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, as the Vikings started the year 4-3 against a tough non-conference slate.

While Heath has had consistent success on the court, he says it all starts in practice, where he tries to perfect his own craft and looks to set the tone for his teammates.

“I try to be a leader for this team, starting in practice every day. Because if you can get things right in practice, then it makes the games much more fun,” Heath said. “I want everybody to know that every time we take the court, that we have take it seriously and go hard.”

After an All-South Piedmont Conference junior season – when Heath averaged 15 points and five rebounds to lead the Vikings – Heath established himself as one of the top players in the league.

Heath had a lot to be proud of individually, but Central Cabarrus struggled as a team, going 10-16 overall (7-7 in the SPC) under two different head coaches.

After stepping down when his triplet sons were born, King, who coached the Vikings from 2009-2011, returned to the program.

Heath said King brought back stability to Central Cabarrus.

“It was a great feeling when we found out Coach King would be coming back,” he said. “With Coach King back, everything changed. We all trust him, and he trusts us.”

Heath has played a central role for his team, but he gets a lot of help from an experienced roster that includes six seniors and six juniors.

The Viking backcourt is the team’s strength, as 5-foot-10 junior point guard A.J. Atkins, and senior wings Mason Spease and Ty Young, return to set the tone for a team with a lot of speed on both ends of the floor.

Inside, the Vikings have more size than a year ago with 6-foot-4 Anthony Mullis helping on the boards. King hopes to also get consistent help from 6-foot-7 Sawyer Jarvis and 6-foot-6 Eli McCants.

King and Heath hope this year will be the beginning of the program’s rise to the top of their conference’s standings.

Heath also hopes that his play will get him an opportunity to play in college. He said he currently has Division II interest. King explained that Heath could also go the prep school or junior college route if he chooses.

No matter what happens in his future, Heath is focused on closing his Central Cabarrus career on a good note.

“As a senior, I want to try to help take this team as far as I can,” he said. “First, we want to take care of business and try to win our conference. I think we have a team that’s capable of challenging and playing with the best.”