Tippecanoe Valley High School has announced the appointment of Eli Henson as the 9th head coach in the 51-year history of its basketball program. Coach Eli Henson has made a strong name for himself in his fifteen years as a Head Basketball Coach by turning around two programs with active losing streaks and transforming them into highly competitive, winning teams. Coach Henson boasts a career winning record of 192-139, which includes two conference championships and two sectional championships.
Most recently, Coach Henson led the Manchester Boys Basketball program to a State Championship in 2025. Manchester's team played an impressive brand of basketball and represented themselves well all the way to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Coach Henson has been named the IBCA District 1 Coach of the Year and has been appointed as an assistant coach to the Junior All-Star Team.
Principal Brandon Kresca commented, "Coach Henson prioritizes building long-lasting relationships with his players first and foremost. Once these are established, he believes in playing fast, playing hard, and maximizing the talent of each and every player. Coach Henson will be active in his school community through his leadership position as basketball coach. I am looking forward to this new era of Valley basketball under Coach Eli Henson."
Coach Eli Henson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I am honored to join the Tippecanoe Valley family, known for its strong tradition of excellence. I am eager to lead the boys' basketball program, develop our student-athletes, and build a culture of success both on and off the court. Thank you to Superintendent Conley, Principal Kresca, and Athletic Director Sam Sturtevant for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity."
Athletic Director Sam Sturtevant added, "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Eli Henson and his family to the Tippecanoe Valley school corporation to lead our boys' basketball program. His background in coaching and commitment to our student-athletes will make a significant positive impact on our program. It was clear early in the process that Eli's vision for the program is built on excellence, positive culture, and hard work, and I am excited to see the program under his leadership."
Eli Henson brings a rich legacy of basketball excellence to Valley, being the grandson of legendary coach Floyd Henson, the son of esteemed player and coach Dave Henson, and the nephew of Akron's all-time leading scorer Steve Henson. Coach Floyd Henson ranks second all-time in career wins with 211 between Akron and Valley, holding a record of 211-115. His conference win percentage at Valley stands at an outstanding 92.9% (13-1). Eli's father, Dave Henson, graduated from Akron in 1968 and finished his high school basketball career with 823 points, placing him 9th in school history. Eli's uncle, Steve Henson, graduated from Akron in 1967 and holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in school history with 1541 points. He is also the third highest scorer in district history, including Akron and other schools. With a family history deeply rooted in basketball success, Eli is poised to lead the team to new heights. The Valley community eagerly anticipates the impact of his leadership and the continuation of the Henson legacy.