Henry Smith knows that somewhere, his grandfather Ernest is proud.
Four months after the former member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Council died at 85, his grandson was named the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division III, Section IV softball Coach of the Year after leading Camp Verde High School [22-8] to an undefeated sectional record, sectional title and state quarterfinal appearance in Henry Smith’s first year as head coach.
“The first day I was hired, I went to his house and was able to tell him first,” Smith said. “He was so excited and so honored that I would work at his school. He was a die-hard Cowboy.”
Smith, whose sisters were also CVHS softball pitchers, also can be proud of his daughter Taya, who is continuing the family softball tradition as a first team all-section pitcher and infielder for the Cowboys.
Smith committed two errors at second base all season and, when on the mound, consistently averaged at least eight strikeouts per game, throwing four one-hit games, including a complete game home win over Williams High School in a March 29 doubleheader that was perfect until the final out of the game in the fifth inning.
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, May 28, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
