E.C. Glass is planning a going-away ceremony to honor longtime football coach Bo Henson later this month.
Henson, who stood at the helm of the football program for two decades, plans to move with his family to Richmond in April, according to former Glass athletic director Chip Berry, who was involved in planning the event, dubbed "Bon voyage to coach Bo Henson."
Henson, 83, was born in Buena Vista and coached at Parry McCluer High before becoming an assistant at E.C. Glass in 1969. He would remain with the Hilltoppers in an official coaching capacity for roughly the next three decades. Henson took over as head football coach for the retiring Johnny Palmer in 1978 and held that position through 1997.
Henson posted 151-69-5 record in his head coaching career at E.C. Glass. He took the Hilltoppers to four state championship games: 1988, '91, '92 and '95. His 1988 squad went 14-0 and captured the Group AAA, Division 5 state championship with a 22-7 win over Huguenot. He was named Virginia Coach of the Year at the conclusion of that season.
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In addition to coaching numerous high school and collegiate All-Americans, Henson watched as seven of his former players went on to have playing careers in the NFL.
"[He] served as a father-figure for many Hilltoppers over the years," Berry said in a note announcing the ceremony.
Henson will be honored in the E.C. Glass Hall of Fame on March 30, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
He was selected a member of the school's inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2011, part of a 20-person group that included Palmer and one of Henson's most highly regarded players, Rueben Brown (Class of 1990).
Henson also is a member of the Lynchburg Area and Ferrum College halls of fame.
In 2018, E.C. Glass honored the 1988 team at a Hall of Fame ceremony.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Liberty set to face Kennesaw in CUSA semis
In Huntsville, Alabama, No. 4 Kennesaw State held off No. 5 New Mexico State in a thriller that went to the wire, and the Owls sneaked by to face top-seeded Liberty in the Conference USA semifinals on Friday.
Kennesaw was led by guard Simeon Cottle, who poured on 32 points. Cottle was 8 of 12 from the field, 4 of 7 from 3-point range and 12 of 14 from the free throw line. Teammate Braeden Lue finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Liberty (26-6) opened play in the tournament Wednesday, earning an 81-60 victory over UTEP. Zach Cleveland, Taelon Peter, Kaden Metheny and Jayvon Maughmer all scored in double figures. The Flames had the day off Thursday and will play Kennesaw at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
New Mexico State's Jae'coby Osborne hit a layup to bring his team within one, 78-77. He was fouled on the play and missed the game-tying free throw. Adrian Wooley responded by downing two free throws to push the lead back to three with one second left, and New Mexico's 3-point heave at the buzzer was off the mark.
Liberty and Kennesaw (19-13) split a pair of regular-season meetings, with the Flames winning by eight in Georgia on Jan. 30 and the Owls winning by five in Lynchburg last Sunday.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Lady Flames to meet Louisiana Tech in CUSA semis
In Huntsville, Alabama, Louisiana Tech freshman forward Averi Aaron poured on a career-high 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals as the No. 5 Lady Techsters defeated No. 4 New Mexico State 60-55 on Thursday.
The win sets up a meeting between LA Tech (16-14) and top-seeded Liberty in the CUSA Tournament semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Liberty (24-6) began the conference tournament with a 78-51 win over No. 8 Sam Houston on Wednesday. The Lady Flames have won nine straight and 16 of their last 17.
Liberty and LA Tech split a pair of regular-season meetings. LU won by 11 in the first matchup in Lynchburg, while LA Tech won by one point in Ruston on Feb. 6, ending a seven-game winning streak for the Lady Flames.
