ORWELL —
History is not only in the making at Grand Valley High School, it’s being rewritten. A.J. Henson, a senior at Grand Valley, broke the high school record for most career points in basketball on Jan. 6 during a nail- biting game against rival Maplewood. Henson, as of Jan. 19, holds the new school record with an incredible 1,432 current career points and it is only climbing from there.
“It’s a huge honor to hold the new record,” said Henson. “Fifty-four years is a long time. So many players have come through and so many of them have some so close. It’s been really special to be able to reach that mark.”
Certainly, the reward did not come without a cost. Countless hours practicing and endless dedication are responsible for Henson’s success.
“A.J. has worked very hard for many years and has definitely gotten out of basketball what he put in,” said Lucas Strohm, head coach of the Grand Valley Mustang Varsity Boys Basketball team. With 12 games left in the regular season, each game Henson plays will spike the record higher and higher.
The previous career point record, set from 1954-1958, belonged to Jim Dodd, a 1958 alumnus and huge supporter of Grand Valley High School. Dodd’s record 1,377 career points stood strong for an unheard of 54 years.
“I actually didn’t know at the time that I held the record,” said Dodd with a smile. “It was a pleasant surprise when I found out later that I not only held the school career point record, but also the county career point record.”
The two men may have played the game years apart, however they are remarkably alike. Most prominently, both will agree that the memories and friendships from athletics are the most important aspect of the game.
It is exactly these friendships that have become crucial to Henson and he is quick to attribute his success to his teammates.
“Everything I have achieved is because of them,” Henson said of his team. “I couldn’t have done it without the great group of guys I have by my side and I am so lucky to have who I have. They’re the ones who have to pass me the ball and they’re the ones who make things happen. The Maplewood game was a huge game for me. I fouled out and set the record, but what is most important is that we won as a team.”
“I've known A.J. since first grade and I have been playing with him in basketball for nine years,” said Mitchell Lake, teammate and close friend. “I'm extremely happy for his accomplishment. In practice if things are going slow, he's the one to step up and get things going. He's a great leader and a great player. I have a lot of respect for him as we play three sports together. He is my quarterback, my point guard and my catcher in baseball and it's been great to play sports with him these past four years. I hope he can continue his career throughout college and keep up his work ethic and leadership talents.”
It’s also quite interesting to add how the game has changed between the two record setters.
“When I played the three-point line didn’t exist,” Dodd said.
“That’s where a lot of my points came from,” added Henson.
“I have enjoyed watching A.J. and his team mates play basketball from seventh and eighth grade up to now, their senior year,” said a proud Dodd. “I knew then he had the talent to set a new mark and he certainly has. Congratulations to a fine young man and I wish him continued success as he goes on to college.”
“Basketball has always been my favorite sport,” said Dodd. “From games to team mates to practice, it is just a great total experience.”
Henson can surely relate as his final season of high school basketball comes to a close. He is 21 points from breaking the county record and is looking to play basketball in college.
Grand Valley High School wishes him congratulations and good luck on his future endeavors.
School Columnists
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Emily Nye and Brady Nye
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GRAND VALLEY High School senior A.J. Henson (right) made history on Jan. 6 when he broke the school record for career points in basketball with 1,432 points. He is pictured with previous record holder Jim Dodd, a 1958 alumnus who held the record of 1,377 career points for 54 years.
Discussion
Henson breaks record for most career points in GV basketball
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