Henry’s New Look Is Suiting Mater Dei

Chris Henry, a 6-foot-9 senior center, is listed as a returning player for the Santa Ana Mater Dei boys’ basketball team.

Except Coach Gary McKnight doesn’t recognize the person who still goes by the name of Chris Henry.

“Chris Henry graduated last year, and I got a new one,” McKnight said.

Slimmer by 25 pounds, with improved quickness, agility and strength, Henry is a candidate for most improved player in Southern California.

“Last year, he fell down all the time,” McKnight said. “Now he doesn’t.”

Henry is stronger without having lifted weights in the off-season. He credits the combination of a resistance training program designed by Orange County fitness guru Marv Marinovich coupled with improved nutrition through the Zone diet for changing his body and changing the way he plays basketball.

“I can run faster, jump higher and my game has improved 1,000 fold,” he said.

Henry is averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds while becoming an inside force for the Monarchs (10-1), who leave today for a tournament in Houston.

He signed a letter of intent last month with Washington State, which looks like a wise decision for the Cougars, considering the number of schools that would be recruiting Henry today if they had realized how strong and effective he would become.

“I felt I had a power game, but I needed to get my quickness up so I could have a complete game,” Henry said.

With the help of resistance training, which includes running, using gymnastic balls and rubberized hand weights, Henry gained strength and balance. He went from 265 pounds to 240 pounds on the Zone diet, which tries to control insulin production through the proper ratio of low-density carbohydrates, dietary fat and protein.

How strong is Henry? Adam Speer, a 280-pound offensive tackle at West Hills Chaminade, told Coach Bryan Cantwell after facing Henry on the basketball court that he had never encountered a stronger teenager in any sport.

Henry’s size and strength allow him to box out two and even three players for rebounds.

Those who remember him last season coming off the bench will be surprised to see the “new” Chris Henry.

“I feel I’m a whole different player,” he said. “I have a whole new mentality and a whole new body.”

Henry works so hard and sweats so profusely that when he hits the floor, someone had better have a mop handy.

“When I take a charging [foul] or fall down, they need two towels,” he said.

Henry used the words “goofy” and “clumsy” to describe himself last season. Now, he’s a big man with balance, coordination and confidence.

“Everything has improved,” he said.

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It’s time to start paying respect to junior point guard Drew Housman from Calabasas.

He’s 5-8, weighs 140 pounds and is averaging 20.9 points for the 8-2 Coyotes.

“He’s incredible,” Coach Russell White said. “I’ve had so many compliments from other coaches. Every coach in America wants someone like Drew Housman on their team at point guard because he finds a way to get it done.”

Two years ago, Housman was a varsity starter as a 5-3, 110-pound freshman.

“He looks like he’s 12 or 13 but plays like he’s 17 or 18,” White said at the time.

Housman is still hoping to reach 6 feet (his brother is 6-4), but regardless, he plays basketball with passion and intelligence that are difficult to duplicate.

“If I keep working hard on speed, strength and shooting, I can still move on in basketball,” he said.

Opponents who haven’t seen Housman play are initially skeptical of his abilities, but once he’s on the court, he quickly earns respect. This season, he has been averaging more than eight free throws a game by drawing fouls with drives to the basket.

On Tuesday night, Newport Harbor employed a box-and-one defense that limited Housman to 14 points in a 53-51 victory. Housman never panicked and didn’t start firing bad shots out of frustration.

With a 3.9 grade-point average and a relentless work ethic, Housman is a dream player for any coach.

“I would not trade Drew for anyone,” White said.

Housman will play this weekend in the Chaminade tournament. Seeing him dazzle on the basketball court is worth the price of admission.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.