Phil Henry
To many of Union's basketball fans and opponents, this year's 13-9 season, which includes an 8-4 record in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (good for second place), is a pleasant surprise. After all, last year's 21-8 UCAA championship team lost the program's all-time leading scorer in Aaron Galletta, the program's highest rebounder since 1980 (as well as a 1,000-point career scorer) in C.J. Rodgers, and a two-and a half year starting point guard in Jason Manning, from a team that qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1982-83.
With one starter returning and a roster that includes seven freshman and five sophomores, who saw limited action last year, the UCAA's coaches had given the Dutchmen an outside chance, at best, to finish among the league's top four teams and qualify for the championship tournament.
One guy, senior guard Phil Henry, just laughs when he hears people talk about the 2002-03 Dutchmen exceeding expectations.
“Of course I did,” says the Flushing, New York, native when asked if he thought coming into the season, that the Dutchmen would be where they are going into the regular-season's final weekend…a game out of first and battling to defend their UCAA championship?
“This team is an extremely talented team,” explained Henry. “We believe we can go out and beat anybody. Even though we lost three great seniors last year, this year's team has quickly adopted the same tough mentality and has gelled.”
Henry is one of the big reasons that the Dutchmen are where they are. A civil engineering
major and a graduate of Chaminade High School, he has made his presence felt throughout his four-year career. An extremely gifted athlete, Henry can rebound with the best of them, score from either underneath or from three-point territory, and hardly ever misses an opportunity to pick up an assist. His long, Gazelle-like strides quickly get his 6'1, 180-pound frame up and down the court.
The Dutchmen's leading scorer with an average of 14.9 points a game, Henry is second on the team in steals (with 28) third in blocked shots (14), and second in three-point field goals with 27. He also has dished out 36 assists and pulled down 66 rebounds. But those numbers don't tell the real story of what Phil Henry has meant to this very young Dutchmen team this season.
“Phil has done a good job in his role as a co-captain and the only senior on this year's team, said seventh-year head coach Bob Montana. “First of all, as “the” veteran player, and as a leader, Phil did a good job developing our team chemistry in the pre-season. His work habits and his commitment to the team were immediately evident to the younger guys, and they followed his lead in an attempt to blend into a cohesive group.
“Phil's on court contributions include having to defend a key perimeter scorer, provide scoring as well as being a consistent rebounder at his position,” Montana continued. “I feel Phil has embraced the responsibilities of his position and has done a good job on and off the court as a leader of this program.
Henry's rise to leadership has been a steady process in which he has had to put his own athletic abilities behind what has been good for the team. Probably one of the most athletic players to wear the Garnet uniform in the last two decades, Henry's freshman and sophomore seasons often saw him trying take control of the game with individual efforts. A starter in his junior season, Henry displayed more patience with Union's offense and that allowed him to almost double his total amount of assists from his first two years while more than doubling his scoring average and his minutes played. This year he is playing his best overall basketball and is a candidate for All-Conference honors.
“I think in terms of goals, it has always been the same in which we try to grow and win everyday,” Henry explained. “This year's team is very young but has quickly adapted the right attitude in order to know what it takes to win.”
An avid golfer, Henry is involved in the Sigma Chi fraternity, and currently acts as an assistant engineer for the Civil Engineering department. He has fond memories of his time at Union and at his growth as a basketball player.
“Looking back on this year my general memory is that everything takes time, and nothing is easy. Winning takes preparation.
“I would choose Union again,” he continued. “I appreciate what this school has taught me in terms of academic, athletic and social preparation for the “real world.”
As for coach Montana, he would certainly chose Phil Henry to be part of Union's basketball program.
“Phil has continued to develop as a player throughout his career at Union,” says Montana. “The growth he has experienced has been a valuable asset in helping some of the younger guys through the same developmental process. He has been able to teach that becoming a good college player is a process. Having an upperclassmen with Phil's experience has been helpful with so many younger guys in the program.
“I appreciate all of Phil's efforts to better the Union basketball program; his personal development and his leadership with the team this season.”
The Dutchmen conclude the regular-season with weekend with home games against St. Lawrence (Friday at 6 p.m.) and Clarkson (Saturday at 2 p.m.). Henry will be recognized prior to the start of Saturday's game against the Golden Knights.