Central Michigan University Athletics
Henderson Can Dish It Out
1/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2002
Laurie Henderson is a rare basketball player in this day and age. She would rather pass than shoot.
"I've always been that way," said the 5-10 junior guard from Newark, Ohio. "I played point guard in high school because I was the best ballhandler. So, I passed the ball and didn't look much for my shot.
"That's one thing I need to do, though. I have to score more to help the team whether I drive or look to hit the jump shot."
Henderson has started all 15 games this season for the Central Michigan University women's basketball team and has taken 82 shots - least among the starters by 30 attempts.
However, Laurie is averaging 5.3 points per game and has the best assist to turnover rate on the team with 42 assists to 23 miscues.
"It's been a fun year so far although last week wasn't so great," Henderson said, pointing to the losses at Buffalo and Kent State. "We're winning and the team gets along well. The new coaching staff believes in us and that makes all the difference in the world."
After winning just four games a year ago, even Henderson was surprised with Central Michigan's early success.
"I remember when we won our eighth game and thinking that we doubled last year's total with a lot of the season to go," said Henderson.
The Chippewas are not satisfied with their 9-6 mark right now. There are a couple of goals to be attained.
"We want to win a Mid-American Conference game on the road and we'd like to be at least .500 when the season's over," Henderson said.
A sports studies major with a 3.15 grade-point-average, Laurie figures she'll get a master's degree in sport administration after graduation. She hopes to land a job in athletic administration one day, hopefully, on the college level.
Henderson wanted to get away from home for college but "not necessarily five and one-half hours." Nonetheless, she appreciates all the support she gets from her family - parents Tom and Earlene Henderson, brother Blake and sister Carrie.
"My parents go to about every game we play in Ohio and come up here for all of the weekend games," Laurie said. "They also made a couple of trips including going to New Mexico where my uncle lives."
