AMERICUS — South Georgia Tech sophomores Carlos West and James Early will continue their basketball careers after signing with the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

West, an Americus native, was named Second Team All-Conference in the GJCAA after averaging 15.7 points and shooting nearly 38 percent from behind the arc. He scored 33 points against Coastal Georgia.

“We are really going to miss him,” said Jets coach Steven Wright. “But I am so proud of him. This is one of the happiest days of my coaching life — seeing him move on.”

Early, who is from Blakely and transferred from Southern Union Community College in Wadley, Ala., averaged 10 points and eight rebounds a contest.

“UAM is getting a very tough kid and a player that has a huge upside,” said Wright. “He got so much better as the season went along. I just hate we only had him for one season.”

UAM is a NCAA Division II member in the Gulf South Conference that houses the likes of Valdosta State and West Georgia. The Boll Weevils were 17-12 and 8-6 in conference play this year.

Coach Mike Newell is excited about the additions of West and Early.

“We are looking for good things from these guys,” he said. “We hope they can add to the chemistry that is already here and if they do what they are capable of, we can win a GSC championship and play in the national tournament.”

West and Early make the 19th and 20th players who have moved on from South Georgia Tech to four-year universities.

The Jets were 20-12 and runners-up in the GJCAA this season.