Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

“Hustle” is an overused word in sports that often comes with “coach speak.” In basketball, it is those players who are willing to do a little more—those who show greater effort, dive on the floor for a loose ball, and are willing to do more than their opponents, whether it’s chasing down a long rebound or sprinting to get back on defense. So, even though it is a word that at times may seem worn out, there may not be a single word that best describes not only the player Macy Henry but the person.

Hampton High School Girls’ Basketball player Macy Henry signed Thursday to continue her collegiate and athletic career at Milligan University. As impressive as she is on the court, the classroom may be where she shines the brightest. She has a 4.0 GPA, is a State Champion in architecture design, a bronze medal winner in the nation for Skills USA in Quiz Bowl, 2023 Battle of the Build Winner, Class President, and the list goes on.

On the court, she is an All-Conference and All-County player, part of a Hampton Lady Bulldogs team that has produced the most wins in school basketball history. She has scored over 1,000 points and is closing in on 500 rebounds. In addition, Henry is a member of the Lady Bulldogs golf team where she has been All-Region.

When speaking to Head Lady Bulldogs Coach Dewayne Humphrey, he boasted not only about the player but the person Macy is. “She has been a constant the last four years; she always goes hard whether it’s in the classroom or on the court; she is all about effort and energy in whatever she does. With her, it is 100% all the time, always smiling, and always a role model for the younger players wherever she goes,” Humphrey shared.

For Henry, Milligan seems like a natural choice. “Ever since I was little, I have wanted to go to Milligan; my dad works there, and I have a lot of respect for the people there. I used to go to basketball camps there ever since I was little; I have always wanted to be a Buff,” Henry shared. She also was quick to recognize the opportunity given to her to extend her playing time. “It’s an honor; I know a lot of people don’t get this opportunity. I am determined to make the most of it, just to get a chance to do what I love,” Henry added.

Milligan University Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kylie Greer acknowledged the student-athlete Henry is. “We are excited to have Macy join us; what she has accomplished on the court has been fun to watch. She is a young woman of great character, and she is going to be a great teammate; we are also excited to see her pursue her academic dream in our engineering program,” Greer said.

Reflecting back, Henry was quick to acknowledge what it meant to be a Lady Bulldog and be a part of Hampton High School. “The people there just made my time there special; the relationships and bonds I have made are probably the most beneficial. It has given me the opportunity to be a leader,” Henry shared. When asked how she wants to be remembered as a basketball player, she openly shared what value means the most to her. “Honestly, when people talk about me, I want them to remember that I was a hustler; I don’t care about the points or the records. I also want to be known for the example I set for the younger ones coming up,” Henry added.

Talking about her future, Henry also communicated emphatically that she still has work to get done with this year’s Lady Bulldog squad. “Right now it is about today; whatever I am doing today will help progress me as a person and a player. If we get better as a team, then I know I am getting better. I believe we are capable of going far this year if we can stay together and support each other. Stepping up to 2A has been a challenge; we are one of the smallest 2A schools in Tennessee, but we are hardworking and committed,” Henry stated. Hustle may be the word that best describes Macy Henry, but she has other qualities that will amount to success in whatever she pursues.