Coach Henry Gantz has been an integral part of the CHA family since 2015. Henry grew up in the delta town of Inverness. After getting his degree in Marketing Communications from Ole Miss, he spent seven years coaching in Louisiana before coming to CHA. On becoming a coach he says, "I started coaching because Briarfield offered me a job when I was waiting tables at the time. I never planned on being a coach. I was a boys coach for my first 11 years before switching over to girls." Henry currently not only serves as our Athletic Director but also coaches girls junior varsity and varsity basketball teams and teaches a senior economics course. When asked how he found his way to CHA Henry says "Hugh Webb was working here and I had worked with Hugh in the past. He convinced me to give it a try for a year. 10 years later...". Henry also says, "Working with CHA girls basketball players has been the best honor of my coaching career. The daily practices with my Varsity Girls [are my favorite responsibility at CHA]. I look forward to every second of their practices and it's my favorite time of the day. It's my favorite responsibility because the girls practice intensely and their efficiency is unlike most programs. It's beautiful to watch." Some of his most fun memories from his years here are also centered around girls basketball. He mentions "Maddie Maw making the free throws to win South State, my JV girls going 74-1 over three seasons, and beating Jackson Prep in triple Overtime to make the Final 4." Coach Gantz has been rewarded for his hard work on the court by being named All Star Coach 5 times and being named MAIS Coach of the Year in 2023. In the classroom his efforts have also been rewarded by being named STAR teacher twice by students Shelby Spracklen and Lexi Lomax. On an interesting note Coach Gantz says "In 2001, the state tournament was held at CHA and for the last high school game I ever played in we used the current CHA girls locker room. My career as a player ended in the same locker room my girls currently use." Outside of school Henry stays very busy as the owner and head coach of the Mississippi Jazz travel basketball organization. He says, "We are a top 25 program in the country per size and in 2019 we won the Nike Platinum National Championship." When he talks about his family, his pride is evident. He says "I just had a son, Beau Beckham Gantz and Shelby Gantz is the best mom to our awesome baby boy." He also has one cat fur baby Elveria Tay, and has spent time traveling to four of the six continents. We are so blessed to have Coach Gantz as part of our staff at Central Hinds Academy. Please be in prayer for him as he works diligently to make our school better.
