Women's hoops names new Assistant Coach

Kory Henry returns to Lady Lions

Veteran coach to focus on SAGU defense

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  The women’s basketball team at Southwestern Assemblies of God University have announced the hiring of a familiar name as their Assistant Coach.

Arlon Beadles, the Lady Lions veteran Head Coach, will welcome back Kory Henry to his staff this fall. Henry, 49, was a volunteer coach during the 2008-2009 season at SAGU.

That year was very special for both Beadles and Henry.

SAGU went 24-8 that winter, a campaign that saw their defense yield only 49.6 points per game, which ranked second in the nation. A zone defense that held opposing shooters to just .303 accuracy, was thirty points better than any team in the NAIA.

Next door to Southwestern is Waxahachie Preparatory Academy, where Henry was simultaneously named the District Coach of the Year of the Lady Warriors for his efforts during 2008-09. 

“God had afforded me the opportunity to work with Coach Beadles on a volunteer basis during the 2008/2009 season,” Henry said recently. “I had been awaiting another opportunity to rejoin his staff. That opportunity presented itself at the conclusion of my 2011/2012 season.”

“Without God's guiding hand, I would not have been able to rejoin the SAGU staff. It is truly a blessing,” he added.

Coach Kory Henry's Favorite Quote

Born in Lubbock, fittingly, Henry attended Texas Tech University. He majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He went to New Deal High School, which is north of Lubbock.

His coaching resume includes seven years as the head coach at Texas Elite Basketball, a year at Waxahachie Prep and three seasons as girls varsity basketball head coach at Alba-Golden H.S. The Lady Panthers were 19-12 last winter.

He also coached track and field at AGHS, which is near Lake Fork in East Texas.

Coach Henry strengths are motivating student-athletes and helping them to reach their full potential on and off the court. He will be assisting Coach Beadles on the defensive side of the ball as well as assisting with game day preparations.

“Having had an opportunity to work with Coach Beadles during the 2008/2009 season, I am aware of the tremendous athletes and coaching that makes up the Red River Athletic Conference,” Henry pointed out.

“I look forward to the challenge and I couldn't think of anyone better to continue my coaching career with than Coach Beadles. He is a tremendous coach and even better man of God."

Coach Henry and his wife, Belinda, have four children; Kaleb (21), Kameron (17), Madison (16) and Natalie Thompson (18).

Kaleb, their oldest son, is a member of the West Texas A&M Track and Field team (high jump). Kameron is a freshman at Texas Tech while Madison is a junior at Waxahachie Prep.

Their family has added new addition.

“We have a young lady (Natalie Thompson) that joined our family last year,” Henry said on Wednesday. “She’ll be attending Texas Tech on a Track and Field Scholarship (high jump and javelin).”

Kory lists his hobbies as reading, basketball and family time. His family attends The Oaks Fellowship in nearby Red Oak.

His wife, Belinda, owns and operates "The Creature Teacher." It is a company that teaches kids about God's creations; mammals and reptiles as well as providing services to libraries, schools, daycares, and family birthday parties.

Southwestern begins practicing in September for the 2012-2013 season.

Their first action will be during a tournament in the Oklahoma City suburb of Bethany in the Southwestern Christian University Classic on November 2-3. The Lady Lions will host two home games in the SAGU Classic on Nov. 9-10.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.