Morgan Academy’s Henderson is Gatorade Alabama Baseball Player of Year

By Fred Guarino

Selma Sun

Morgan Academy’s Gunnar Henderson is the 2018-19 Gatorade Alabama Baseball Player of the Year.

The announcement sent to Morgan Academy head baseball coach Stephen Clements on Thursday, May 23 said that in receiving the honor, Henderson “is now part of a 30-year legacy” that includes past winners such as Peyton Manning, who played 18 season for the Indianapolis Colts; Abby Wambach, American retired soccer player, coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist; Karl-Anthony Towns, of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves; and Derek Jeter, who spent his entire 20-year MLB playing career with the New York Yankees.

The Morgan Academy Auburn University baseball scholarship signer helped lead the Senators to a 30-2 record and runner up for the AISA Class AAA State Baseball Championship.

He had a .554 batting average, hitting 11 home runs, 17 doubles, nine triples and 75 RBIs while scoring 69 runs. He got 56 hits in 101 opportunities at the plate and stole 31 bases.

Clements said of Henderson’s selection, “What a huge accomplishment for an amazing young man. I am so excited for Gunnar and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.”

Clements also said, “Gatorade Player of the year is one of the most prestigious awards out there, and they could not have chosen a better young man than Gunnar, and that’s both on and off the field.”

He said Henderson has high morals, a great work ethic and, “His athletic ability is the best I’ve ever seen.”

Morgan Academy Headmaster Mark Knight said “Gunnar is an outstanding athlete, student and Christian young man. He handles himself with class in everything he does. He works extremely hard and deserves all the awards he has received. We are proud of Gunnar and wish him the best.”

Henderson said, “It is just a huge honor being considered one of the top athletes in the state. I just want to thank all my teammates and my coaches and my family for all helping me get there, and just want to thank God, as well, to bless me with the ability to receive such an honor.”

He said he is looking forward to Auburn with two of his Morgan Academy teammates, including his cousin, Brayton Brown, and David DuCote.

Henderson said that along with the Gatorade honor he will receive a trophy, a banner and $1,000 to donate to a charity of his choice, which he is currently narrowing down.