Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Paige Henderson

This weekend the Havre High softball team will embark on the postseason, and with a state tournament berth on the line, standout Blue Ponies like Paige Henderson will look to perform at a high level.

Henderson has been a staple in Havre softball since the young age of six years old. Henderson grew up in Havre youth softball, but also competed in basketball, volleyball, and track and field in middle school. But choosing to cut back on the sports she played and focus on softball has definitely paid off in the long run.

Henderson, nearing the end of her junior season, has been a standout varsity player for the Ponies since stepping on the field as a freshman. She began her career as a shortstop, but made the switch to catcher as a sophomore. This season Henderson made the move back to shortstop as one of the Ponies' best all-around athletes, and has been the anchor of the infield with the ability to knock down almost everything hit in her direction. As a freshman she earned Central A All-Conference Honorable Mention honors and Academic All-State honors. Last year Henderson also earned Second-Team All-Conference Honors behind the plate, and is as close to a shoe-in as one can get for honors this year.

Up to bat, Henderson also led the Ponies in batting average early in the season, and enters the divisional tournament in the top three in batting for the Ponies. Henderson also has a very high on-base percentage, homerun power, and speed and quickness around the bases making her a very well-rounded threat to any of the opponents the Ponies face moving forward.

As a junior Henderson has yet to make the state tournament. The Ponies failed to move out of the Central A tournament last year, and enter the tournament this weekend as the No. 4 seed. But if Henderson and the rest of the Ponies can turn in a couple of good outings, HHS should be well on its way to getting past Belgrade, Lewistown, Livingston and Browning over the weekend in Belgrade.

The Havre Daily News caught up with Henderson and asked the standout athlete five questions.

HDN: Who does the best job keeping the team pumped up and ready to play?

Henderson: "Probably everybody. I think we are all positive and keep everybody pumped up, so I don't think I can name just one person. If one person wants to step up and be that vocal leader more than anybody else, then that is fine, but I think everybody does a really good job of that."

HDN: What is going to put this year's Blue Pony team into the state tournament?

Henderson: "Definitely hitting the ball repeatedly, getting hits one right after another, and moving the runners around the bases. Hitting is definitely important. We are solid all the way through the lineup, so we just have to get hits."

HDN: How have you been able to stay so consistent at the plate this year?

Henderson: "I just go up to the plate and want to hit the ball, that is really all it is. I look for anything I think I can hit, and when I get it, I am swinging at it. It isn't too often you are going to swing and miss if you wait. Pitchers are trying to hit their spots, so if you have a big range, you are good to go. I tried to work on my power and getting stronger by lifting weights, but for the most part, it is a mental thing. You just have to go up their and know you can hit the ball, and it will come."

HDN: Which past Blue Pony fast pitch player do you most resemble or copy with your play on the field?

Henderson: "Probably Dylan Williams. I always looked up to her when I was in middle school and she was playing shortstop. I wanted that spot so bad, and now I am here just trying to do my best to do what I always saw her do. She played college for a couple of years and that is something she did that I always looked up to also."

HDN: What role will softball play in your future?

Henderson: "I definitely want to play college ball anywhere that I can. I would also like to coach and help out with kids that love the game like I do. I think I can share my knowledge. College has been my goal since I was a freshman. I have been watching college ball, too, so I really want to get to that level and play. But I think it is all about hard work. (Senior Blue Pony) China Bohn is a perfect example of hard work. Her first year of softball was her freshman year, and she has already improved so much and that is because she works so hard. College is possible for any high school softball player if they are willing to give it 110 percent every day."