It’s a good week to be Henry Slayton.

On Tuesday, the senior won two events to help Porter’s Chapel Academy win the MAIS District 4-3A track and field championship.

On Wednesday, he rallied from a set down to win the boys singles title at the district tennis tournament.
And on Thursday morning, Slayton celebrated yet another achievement by signing to play tennis at Hinds Community College.

“It’s great. I’m glad I’m not stopping at high school tennis,” Slayton said.

Slayton played football at PCA in addition to track and tennis, and excelled in all three sports. He had 15 sacks over the last two seasons and was an MAIS all-star in football; finished second in the 800 meters at the Class 3A state track meet in 2024, and won the 800 and 4×400 meter relay at this week’s district meet; and reached the Class 3A championship match in boys doubles in tennis last season.

Tennis is by far his favorite sport of the three. He’s been playing since he was 5 years old and has helped turn Porter’s Chapel’s fledgling team into a thriving program over the past three years.

Slayton is undefeated in boys singles this season after beating St. Augustine’s Morgan White 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the District 4-3A tournament championship match on Wednesday. He’ll next play in the Class 3A South State tournament Monday, and then hopefully the state tournament April 30.

“I’ve played it since I was 5. Started with coach Rick Shields at the Halls Ferry courts,” Slayton said. “It’s just something I’m good at.”

Hinds has been recruiting Slayton for a couple of months, he said, and the scholarship offer came through Wednesday — just before the district tennis tournament to cap a memorable week.

“We went for a career day and I started talking to their coach then. That was, like, two months ago. I already knew it was official yesterday. I’ve went on two or three visits now,” Slayton said. “They said I was a good fit for the team and a solid team.”