Pahrump Valley High School is entering the winter sports season with renewed excitement as Coach Toby Henry steps in as the new Head Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach. Now in his second year teaching Physical Education at PVHS, Henry brings a rich and diverse background in basketball, a deep appreciation for the sport, and a commitment to building a unified, hard-working program for the Trojans.
Henry’s journey with basketball began in Houston, Texas, where he spent his childhood immersed in the sport. He played for Stafford High School, earning All-State honors and helping lead his team to a Final Four appearance. Those years provided him with not only strong competition but also guidance from coaches who profoundly influenced his approach to leadership and development. “We had a lot of good seasons, a lot of good experiences, and a lot of good coaches down there,” he said, reflecting on the foundation that shaped him as both player and coach.
His coaching career spans several states and includes head coaching roles at Missouri Military Academy in Missouri, Elkhart High School in Kansas, a year leading a program in Omaha, Nebraska, and an unforgettable chapter in Oklahoma where he coached an incredible seven teams in a single year—eighth grade, seventh grade, third and fourth grade boys, third and fourth grade girls, and fifth grade boys and girls. “Yeah, I’ve been all over the place,” he said with a laugh, acknowledging the wide-ranging experiences that have given him a deep understanding of the game at multiple levels.
Before joining the PVHS staff, Henry spent time at Durango High School in Las Vegas and later Liberty High School where he was part of the football coaching staff for both schools. He has spent a decade coaching in Nevada and came to Pahrump two years ago as part of the football program, though basketball was never far from his heart. When the boys’ varsity coaching position opened, he immediately felt drawn to the opportunity. “I heard the job was open, and I saw there was some talent here—some kids that wanted to work hard,” he said. “I grew up with good basketball coaches and good experiences, and I wanted that for these kids. They deserve it.”
Although the official season has just begun—with last Saturday marking the first practice before rain washed out Tuesday’s session—Henry has already had a chance to evaluate his team thanks to the summer league. Competing against larger Las Vegas programs and strong out-of-town teams gave him a clear picture of the Trojans’ strengths. “We played a lot of good competition,” he explained. “We’re not the biggest or tallest team, but I think we’re just as quick as anybody else, and we can compete with anybody.” That confidence in their speed and work ethic has helped shape the fast-paced style Henry plans to implement this season, a shift from what the boys’ program has run in recent years.
With rosters now finalized, Henry is pleased with the strong returning group that will anchor the team. Among the key returners are Keir Sheppard, Josh Slusher, Aydon Veloz, Lucas Gavenda, and Caden Briscoe, a core group he describes as talented, experienced, and dependable. He also highlighted the growth of Trae Plein, who made major strides over the summer and has continued to improve this preseason.
When discussing leadership, Henry didn’t hesitate. “Our leaders are going to be guys like Keir Sheppard and Josh Slusher,” he said. “Those are probably our captains right there. They’re the ones I go to when I need something. Both those kids—you can trust them.” Henry emphasized that their leadership extends beyond gameplay. “They’re great leaders on the court and off the court,” he added, noting the importance of maturity, responsibility, and focus in building a successful program.
As he prepares for the season, Henry is working to establish a new identity for Trojan basketball—one built on speed, aggressiveness, and shared understanding across all levels of the program. His preference is a man-to-man defensive system, though he plans to mix in zone when needed. Offensively, PVHS will run a read-and-react system, which encourages movement, decision-making, and freedom—an ideal fit for the guard-heavy roster. “We run a five-out offense with a lot of passing and cutting,” Henry explained. “It gives them options. I think they play harder when they have a little freedom and they’re not stuck thinking too much. Their feet aren’t in cement.” This approach not only establishes a clear identity for the varsity team but also lays the groundwork for consistency throughout the entire boys’ program.
One of Henry’s biggest goals is developing continuity between levels. In the past, players transitioning from freshman to JV to varsity faced drastically different systems—even when moving up year to year. Henry plans to change that. “We’re all running the same offense, same defense,” he said. He provides daily practice plans to the coaching staff to ensure alignment and to help younger teams build the fundamentals needed for varsity success. The middle school program is also part of the long-term vision, with coaches already implementing man-to-man defense and read-and-react concepts, paving the way for future Trojans who arrive prepared and fundamentally aligned.
Henry’s coaching staff this season includes experienced assistant coach Bob Hopkins on varsity and Royce Avena leading the JV squad. The freshman team coach is still being finalized, but Henry is already excited about that group of incoming players after watching them work hard and show strong potential. He noted that the freshman class is talented, dedicated, and eager to learn—attributes that will serve the entire program well as they develop within the unified system he is building. Together, the coaching staff brings a wide range of experience and shared goals, helping ensure consistency and growth across all levels of the program. He appreciates the support he’s received since stepping into the role and is fully invested in laying the groundwork for a strong future for PVHS basketball.
Looking ahead, Henry is excited for the Trojans’ opening game on December 4 at home against Needles—the same night the girls’ team plays. Needles may have graduated key players, but Henry expects an intense matchup as both teams share a similar style of play. The Trojans will turn around and play again the next day on the road, kicking off a busy winter without much downtime. “No sleep. No vacations over the holidays,” Henry joked. “That’s one of the reasons I stopped coaching basketball before, but I wanted to help these guys out. And I’m excited.”
With a returning core of dedicated players, an aligned coaching staff, a fast-paced system, and a renewed sense of direction, Henry believes the Trojans are poised to take meaningful steps forward. As the gym lights come on for another season, PVHS enters a new chapter—one fueled by experience, energy, and a coach determined to give his players the same opportunities and guidance that once shaped his own basketball journey.
