Future Razorback Henderson eyes second state title ring

Parkview's Ethan Henderson goes for a dunk during the first period of a game against Maumelle on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Maumelle.

Arkansas 2018 hoops pledge Ethan Henderson is really looking forward to being back with his Arkansas Hawks AAU and future Razorback teammates this spring and summer.

But first there is an important task at hand as Henderson and Little Rock Parkview (28-5) meet Little Rock Mills (30-2) for the Class 5A championship Thursday afternoon at 5:15 p.m. at Hot Springs’ Bank of Ozarks Arena.

“We have been working hard all season to get back to the championship game and our chemistry has been great,” Henderson said. “It takes talent, but I also think the chemistry is what has helped us get over the top.”

Henderson committed to Arkansas on Sept. 5 and chose the Razorbacks over offers from Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, LSU, Missouri and others.

He is regarded as a consensus top 100 player in the country and joined his Arkansas Hawks teammates Isaiah Joe (6-4, 180), Desi Sills (6-1, 180) and Reggie Perry (6-10, 225) in committing to Arkansas last summer and giving the Razorbacks the current No. 1 class per ESPN.

“We are going to have another great summer and it’s going to be a long one and everybody is going to be coming after us since we had such a great AAU season last summer,” Henderson said of a 34-6 campaign. “I can’t wait to get started though because love playing with those guys.


The Patriots - who also feature Arkansas 2017 signee Khalil Garland (6-6, 190) - will be going for back-to-back titles after winning the Class 6A title last season over Pine Bluff and then dropping down a classification.

They will face a stiff challenge in Mills, who is led by Arkansas 2017 signee Darious Mills and a club that Parkview downed 57-55 in overtime on Feb. 24th in their only meeting of the season.

“Khalil, (senior) Javon (Franklin), me, (junior) C.J. (White) and our other teammates have all work together to become the best team,” Henderson said. “We share the ball and there is no one trying to score the most points. We just want to win.”

“I think I have improved my post moves and my defense. I think I need to work on creating my shot, getting to a place where I can best get my shot.”

While he won’t be on the campus until the summer of 2018, he is happy to see the Razorback (23-8, 12-6) on the upswing.

“I am seeing great things of Arkansas this season,” Henderson said. “I have been going to as many games as I can to support my future team. I like what they are doing.”

Henderson and Garland will follow a Parkview pipeline that has included current Razorbacks Daryl Macon and Anton Beard.

“Daryl has been playing great, Anton is doing good - just all of them have really been coming together and winning and pushing forward,” Henderson said. “I know all four of us Hawks can’t wait to get up there and help.”