The Legend of Coach Henry
Coach Henry
Randall Blakely
Posted in: Sports on 3/16/09 at 8:30 PM PST
During Henry's second year, all basketball games were sell outs. Inglewood High was the place to be. Henry knew his boys were winners and he expected nothing more from them but their best. Some like Reggie Theus went into the NBA scoring over 19,000 points in his career. That made Theus the 41 highest scoring people in the NBA.
After four principals in three years, Coach Henry decided to leave Inglewood and relocated to Oceanside. This time however, he is vice principal of a middle school. After a year, Henry felt coaching was more of what he wanted to do. He then returned to Los Angeles Southwest College. During his tenure at Southwest, Henry lead the basketball team to the state playoffs 5 out of 9 tries with his 1985-1986 team going 29-2, losing to Cypress College. Coaches knew to take Henry seriously when they would be facing him.
Known for his immaculate dressing, few coaches can compare. From the beginning of the seasons to the end, his players would learn hard life lessons. Everyone needs a male role model at least sometime in their life. Coach Henry was that to his players and much more. Along with coaching at Southwest, Henry worked with the EOPS Program at West Los Angeles College where he was a mentor. Upon arrival to Harbor, Henry was assisting Louis Nelson with the girl's basketball teams. He then took a break from coaching and now teaches. With all this change going on at Harbor, the memory of Coach Leon Henry will remain the same.
After four principals in three years, Coach Henry decided to leave Inglewood and relocated to Oceanside. This time however, he is vice principal of a middle school. After a year, Henry felt coaching was more of what he wanted to do. He then returned to Los Angeles Southwest College. During his tenure at Southwest, Henry lead the basketball team to the state playoffs 5 out of 9 tries with his 1985-1986 team going 29-2, losing to Cypress College. Coaches knew to take Henry seriously when they would be facing him.
Known for his immaculate dressing, few coaches can compare. From the beginning of the seasons to the end, his players would learn hard life lessons. Everyone needs a male role model at least sometime in their life. Coach Henry was that to his players and much more. Along with coaching at Southwest, Henry worked with the EOPS Program at West Los Angeles College where he was a mentor. Upon arrival to Harbor, Henry was assisting Louis Nelson with the girl's basketball teams. He then took a break from coaching and now teaches. With all this change going on at Harbor, the memory of Coach Leon Henry will remain the same.

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