By Ken Hansard
Caney Valley sophomore power forward Adesta Henry is coming off an impressive freshman campaign with the Lady Trojans, and although coaches and players are currently keeping a lid on expectations for this season, Caney looks like a team that will be in the mix all season long. The Trojans finished 15-11 last season, losing at Regionals, but they return most of their minutes, and with an influx of new talent, they are cautiously optimistic. Henry says, “I’m really looking forward to getting back on the floor with my friends. One of the challenges I’ll be facing this season is not having many subs, which means I’ll be playing a lot of minutes. It’s going to be physically demanding, so I know I’ll need to stay in shape, take care of my body and stay mentally focused.”
Staying focused and healthy is obviously important, because the Trojans will naturally benefit from any extra minutes Henry can give them, as her freshman season was a model of consistency. Head Coach Deric Longan remarked, “Adesta was our team MVP last season as a freshman. She averaged nearly a double-double (9.5 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game). Entering her sophomore season, I expect her to continue being a versatile force both inside and out.” Henry also contributed an impressive 42 blocked shots to the cause.
This season, as a “veteran” on the team, Adesta is ready to embrace even more responsibility for the Lady Trojans, “During the off-season, I really focused on improving my jump shot. I spent a lot of hours in the gym putting up shots and working on my form, and I’m hoping that hard work will pay off this season. I think my role is to bring energy and hype to the team. I try to support my teammates by staying positive and keeping everyone motivated.
Adesta also plays first base for the Lady Trojans’ softball team. After graduation, she hopes to go to college on a basketball scholarship.
