(Mentone) — Pending school board approval, Tippecanoe Valley’s boys basketball program will have a state championship coach guiding it next season.

The Vikings plan to turn to Eli Henson, who guided Manchester to the 2A Boys Basketball state championship last season.  Henson has ties to Tippecanoe Valley, as his grandfather, Floyd, was the first boys basketball coach when the school opened in 1974.  Eli’s father, Dave, is a 1968 graduate of Akron High School, one of the schools that consolidated into Tippecanoe Valley.

Henson was named the IBCA Coach of the Year for District 1 this season after leading the Squires to a 26-2 record. Macnhester was 84-35 in Henson’s five seasons at the helm.

Overall, Henson has a coaching record of 193-139 in 14 seasons, which includes stints at North White and Whitko.

He’ll inherit a Valley team that went 20-6 last season, losing in overtime of the sectional championship to Columbia City.